WO2004108712A1 - Benzimidazole derivatives, compositions containing them, preparation thereof and uses thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Compounds of formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and Z are as defined in the specification as well as salts and pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds are prepared. They are useful in therapy, in particular in the management of pain.

Description

BENZIMIDAZOLE DERIVATIVES, COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING THEM, PREPARATION THEREOF AND USES THEREOF

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the invention

The invention is related to therapeutic compounds which are CBi receptor ligands, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, manufacturing processes thereof and uses thereof, and more particularly to compounds that are CBi receptor agonists. More particularly, the present invention is related to compounds that may be effective in treating pain, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety disorders, gastrointestinal disorders and cardiavascular disorders.

2. Discussion of Relevant Technology

Pain management has been an important field of study for many years. It has been well known that cannabinoid receptor (e.g., CBj receptor, CB receptor) ligands including agonists, antagonists and inverse agonists produce relief of pain in a variety of animal models by interacting with CBi and/or CB receptors. Generally, CBi receptors are located predominately in the central nervous system, whereas CB₂ receptors are located primarily in the periphery and are primarily restricted to the cells and tissues derived from the immune system.

While CBi receptor agonists, such as Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC) and anadamide, are useful in anti-nociception models in animals, they tend to exert undesired CNS side-effects, e.g., psychoactive side effects, the abuse potential, drug dependence and tolerance, etc. These undesired side effects are known to be mediated by the CBi receptors located in CNS. There are lines of evidence, however, suggesting that CBI agonists acting at peripheral sites or with limited CNS exposure can manage pain in humans or animals with much improved overall in vivo profile.

Therefore, there is a need for new CBi receptor ligands such as agonists, antagonists or inverse agonists that are useful in managing pain or treating other related symptoms or diseases with reduced or minimal undesirable CNS side-effects. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides CBj receptor ligands which are useful in treating pain and other related symptoms or diseases. Definitions

Unless specified otherwise within this specification, the nomenclature used in this specification generally follows the examples and rules stated in Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry, Sections A, B, C, D, E, F, andH, Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1979, which is incorporated by references herein for its exemplary chemical structure names and rules on naming chemical structures. Optionally, a name of a compound may be generated using a chemical naming program: ACD/ChemSketch, Version 5.09/September 2001, Advanced Chemistry Development, Inc., Toronto, Canada.

"CBι/CB₂ receptors" means CBi and/or CB₂ receptors. The term "C_m-n" or "C_m-_n group" used alone or as a prefix, refers to any group having m to n carbon atoms, and having 0 to n multivalent heteroatoms selected from O, S, N and P, wherein m and n are 0 or positive integers, and n>m. For example, "Cι_-6" would refer to a chemical group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and having 0 to 6 multivalent heteroatoms selected from O, S, N and P. The term "hydrocarbon" used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to any structure comprising only carbon and hydrogen atoms up to 14 carbon atoms.

The term "hydrocarbon radical" or "hydrocarbyl" used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to any structure as a result of removing one or more hydrogens from a hydrocarbon.

The term "alkyl" used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to monovalent straight or branched chain hydrocarbon radicals comprising 1 to about 12 carbon atoms. Unless otherwise specified, "alkyl" general includes both saturated alkyl and unsaturated alkyl.

The term "alkylene" used alone or as suffix or prefix, refers to divalent straight or branched chain hydrocarbon radicals comprising 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, which serves to links two structures together. The term "alkenyl" used alone or as suffix or prefix, refers to a monovalent straight or branched chain hydrocarbon radical having at least one carbon-carbon double bond and comprising at least 2 up to about 12 carbon atoms.

The term "alkynyl" used alone or as suffix or prefix, refers to a monovalent straight or branched chain hydrocarbon radical having at least one carbon-carbon triple bond and comprising at least 2 up to about 12 carbon atoms.

The term "cycloalkyl," used alone or as suffix or prefix, refers to a monovalent ring- containing hydrocarbon radical comprising at least 3 up to about 12 carbon atoms. The term "cycloalkenyl" used alone or as suffix or prefix, refers to a monovalent ring- containing hydrocarbon radical having at least one carbon-carbon double bond and comprising at least 3 up to about 12 carbon atoms.

The term "cycloalkynyl" used alone or as suffix or prefix, refers to a monovalent ring- containing hydrocarbon radical having at least one carbon-carbon triple bond and comprising about 7 up to about 12 carbon atoms.

The term "aryl" used alone or as suffix or prefix, refers to a monovalent hydrocarbon radical having one or more polyunsaturated carbon rings having aromatic character, (e.g., 4n + 2 delocalized electrons) and comprising 5 up to about 14 carbon atoms, wherein the radical is located on a carbon of the aromatic ring.

The term "non-aromatic group" or "non-aromatic" used alone, as suffix or as prefix, refers to a chemical group or radical that does not containing a ring having aromatic character (e.g., 4n + 2 delocalized electrons).

The term "arylene" used alone or as suffix or prefix, refers to a divalent hydrocarbon radical having one or more polyunsaturated carbon rings having aromatic character, (e.g., 4n + 2 delocalized electrons) and comprising 5 up to about 14 carbon atoms, which serves to links two structures together.

The term "heterocycle" used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to a ring-containing structure or molecule having one or more multivalent heteroatoms, independently selected from N, O, P and S, as a part of the ring structure and including at least 3 and up to about 20 atoms in the ring(s). Heterocycle may be saturated or unsaturated, containing one or more double bonds, and heterocycle may contain more than one ring. When a heterocycle contains more than one ring, the rings may be fused or unfused. Fused rings generally refer to at least two rings share two atoms therebetween. Heterocycle may have aromatic character or may not have aromatic character.

The term "heteroalkyl" used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to a radical formed as a result of replacing one or more carbon atom of an alkyl with one or more heteroatoms selected from N, O, P and S.

The teπn "heteroaromatic" used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to a ring- containing structure or molecule having one or more multivalent heteroatoms, independently selected from N, O, P and S, as a part of the ring structure and including at least 3 and up to about 20 atoms in the ring(s), wherein the ring-containing structure or molecule has an aromatic character (e.g., 4n + 2 delocalized electrons). The term "heterocyclic group," "heterocyclic moiety," "heterocyclic," or "heterocyclo" used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to a radical derived from a heterocycle by removing one or more hydrogens therefrom.

The term "heterocyclyl" used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers a monovalent radical derived from a heterocycle by removing one hydrogen from a carbon of a ring of the heterocycle.

The term "heterocyclylene" used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to a divalent radical derived from a heterocycle by removing two hydrogens therefrom, which serves to links two structures together. The term "heteroaryl" used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to a heterocyclyl having aromatic character, wherein the radical of the heterocyclyl is located on a carbon of an aromatic ring of the heterocyclyl.

The term "heterocylcoalkyl" used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to a heterocyclyl that does not have aromatic character. The term "heteroarylene" used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to a heterocyclylene having aromatic character.

The term "heterocycloalkylene" used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to a heterocyclylene that does not have aromatic character.

The term "six-membered" used as prefix refers to a group having a ring that contains six ring atoms.

The term "fϊve-membered" used as prefix refers to a group having a ring that contains five ring atoms.

A five-membered ring heteroaryl is a heteroaryl with a ring having five ring atoms wherein 1, 2 or 3 ring atoms are independently selected from N, O and S. Exemplary five-membered ring heteroaryls are thienyl, furyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, tetrazolyl, 1,2,3- thiadiazolyl, 1,2,3-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4- triazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, and 1,3,4- oxadiazolyl.

A six-membered ring heteroaryl is a heteroaryl with a ring having six ring atoms wherein 1, 2 or 3 ring atoms are independently selected from N, O and S.

Exemplary six-membered ring heteroaryls are pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, triazinyl and pyridazinyl. The term "substituted" used as a prefix refers to a structure, molecule or group, wherein one or more hydrogens are replaced with one or more Cι_-12hydrocarbon groups, or one or more chemical groups containing one or more heteroatoms selected from N, O, S, F, Cl, Br, I, and P. Exemplary chemical groups containing one or more heteroatoms include heterocyclyl, -NO₂, -OR, -Cl, -Br, -I, -F, -CF₃, -C(=O)R, -C(=O)OH, -NH₂, -SH, -NHR, - NR₂, -SR, -SO₃H, -SO₂R, -S(=O)R, -CN, -OH, -C(=O)OR, -C(=O)NR_2, -NRC(=O)R, oxo (=O), imino (=NR), thio (=S), and oximino (=N-OR), wherein each "R" is a Cι_ι₂hydrocarbyl. For example, substituted phenyl may refer to nitrophenyl, pyridylphenyl, methoxyphenyl, chlorophenyl, aminophenyl, etc., wherein the nitro, pyridyl, methoxy, chloro, and amino groups may replace any suitable hydrogen on the phenyl ring.

The term "substituted" used as a suffix of a first structure, molecule or group, followed by one or more names of chemical groups refers to a second structure, molecule or group, which is a result of replacing one or more hydrogens of the first structure, molecule or group with the one or more named chemical groups. For example, a "phenyl substituted by nitro" refers to nitrophenyl.

The term "optionally substituted" refers to both groups, structures, or molecules that are substituted and those that are not substituted.

Heterocycle includes, for example, monocyclic heterocycles such as: aziridine, oxirane, thiirane, azetidine, oxetane, thietane, pyrrolidine, pyrroline, imidazolidine, pyrazolidine, pyrazoline, dioxolane, sulfolane 2,3-dihydrofuran, 2,5-dihydrofuran tetrahydrofuran, thiophane, piperidine, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-pyridine, piperazine, morpholine, thiomorpholine, pyran, thiopyran, 2,3-dihydropyran, tetrahydropyran, 1,4-dihydropyridine, 1,4-dioxane, 1,3-dioxane, dioxane, homopiperidine, 2,3,4,7-tetrahydro-lH-azepine homopiperazine, 1,3-dioxepane, 4,7-dihydro-l,3-dioxepin, and hexamethylene oxide. In addition, heterocycle includes aromatic heterocycles, for example, pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, thiophene, furan, furazan, pyrrole, imidazole, thiazole, oxazole, pyrazole, isothiazole, isoxazole, 1,2,3-triazole, tetrazole, 1,2,3-thiadiazole, 1,2,3- oxadiazole, 1,2,4-triazole, 1,2,4-thiadiazole, 1,2,4-oxadiazole, 1,3,4-triazole, 1,3,4- thiadiazole, and 1,3,4- oxadiazole. Additionally, heterocycle encompass polycyclic heterocycles, for example, indole, indoline, isoindoline, quinoline, tetrahydroquinoline, isoquinoline, tetrahydroisoquinoline, 1,4-benzodioxan, coumarin, dihydrocoumarin, benzofuran, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran, isobenzofuran, chromene, chroman, isochroman, xanthene, phenoxathiin, thianthrene, indolizine, isoindole, indazole, purine, phthalazine, naphthyridine, quinoxaline, quinazoline, cinnoline, pteridine, phenanthridine, perimidine, phenantl roline, phenazine, phenothiazine, phenoxazine, 1,2-benzisoxazole, benzothiophene, benzoxazole, benzthiazole, benzimidazole, benztriazole, thioxanthine, carbazole, carboline, acridine, pyrolizidine, and quinolizidine. In addition to the polycyclic heterocycles described above, heterocycle includes polycyclic heterocycles wherein the ring fusion between two or more rings includes more than one bond common to both rings and more than two atoms common to both rings. Examples of such bridged heterocycles include quinuclidine, diazabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane and 7- oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane. Heterocyclyl includes, for example, monocyclic heterocyclyls, such as: aziridinyl, oxiranyl, thiiranyl, azetidinyl, oxetanyl, thietanyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, dioxolanyl, sulfolanyl, 2,3-dihydrofuranyl, 2,5-dihydrofuranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, thiophanyl, piperidinyl, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-pyridinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, pyranyl, thiopyranyl, 2,3-dihydropyranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, 1,4-dihydropyridinyl, 1,4-dioxanyl, 1,3-dioxanyl, dioxanyl, homopiperidinyl, 2,3,4,7- tetrahydro-lH-azepinyl, homopiperazinyl, 1,3-dioxepanyl, 4,7-dihydro-l,3-dioxepinyl, and hexamethylene oxidyl.

In addition, heterocyclyl includes aromatic heterocyclyls or heteroaryl, for example, pyridinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, thienyl, furyl, furazanyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, tetrazolyl, 1,2,3- thiadiazolyl, 1,2,3-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4- triazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, and 1,3,4 oxadiazolyl.

Additionally, heterocyclyl encompasses polycyclic heterocyclyls (including both aromatic or non-aromatic), for example, indolyl, indolinyl, isoindolinyl, quinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, 1 ,4-benzodioxanyl, coumarinyl, dihydrocoumarinyl, benzofuranyl, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuranyl, isobenzofuranyl, chromenyl, chromanyl, isochromanyl, xanthenyl, phenoxathiinyl, thianthrenyl, indolizinyl, isoindolyl, indazolyl, purinyl, phthalazinyl, naphthyridinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinazolinyl, cinnolinyl, pteridinyl, phenanthridinyl, perimidinyl, phenanthrolinyl, phenazinyl, phenothiazinyl, phenoxazinyl, 1,2-benzisoxazolyl, benzothiophenyl, benzoxazolyl, benzthiazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benztriazolyl, thioxanthinyl, carbazolyl, carbolinyl, acridinyl, pyrolizidinyl, and quinolizidinyl. In addition to the polycyclic heterocyclyls described above, heterocyclyl includes polycyclic heterocyclyls wherein the ring fusion between two or more rings includes more than one bond common to both rings and more than two atoms common to both rings. Examples of such bridged heterocycles include quinuclidinyl, diazabicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl; and 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl.

The term "alkoxy" used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to radicals of the general formula -O-R, wherein -R is selected from a hydrocarbon radical. Exemplary alkoxy includes methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, t-butoxy, isobutoxy, cyclopropylmethoxy, allyloxy, and propargyloxy. The term "aryloxy" used alone or as suffix or prefix, refers to radicals of the general formula -O-Ar, wherein -Ar is an aryl.

The term "heteroaryloxy" used alone or as suffix or prefix, refers to radicals of the general formula -O-Ar', wherein -Ar' is a heteroaryl.

The term "amine" or "amino" used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to radicals of the general formula -NRR', wherein R and R' are independently selected from hydrogen or a hydrocarbon radical.

"Acyl" used alone, as a prefix or suffix, means -C(=O)-R, wherein -R is an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrogen, amino or alkoxy. Acyl groups include, for example, acetyl, propionyl, benzoyl, phenyl acetyl, carboethoxy, and dimethylcarbamoyl. Halogen includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.

"Halogenated," used as a prefix of a group, means one or more hydrogens on the group is replaced with one or more halogens.

"RT" or "rt" means room temperature.

A first ring group being "fused" with a second ring group means the first ring and the second ring share at least two atoms therebetween.

"Link," "linked," or "linking," unless otherwise specified, means covalently linked or bonded.

When a first group, structure, or atom is "directly connected" to a second group, structure or atom, at least one atom of the first group, structure or atom forms a chemical bond with at least one atom of the second group, structure or atom.

"Saturated carbon" means a carbon atom in a structure, molecule or group wherein all the bonds connected to this carbon atom are single bond. In other words, there is no double or triple bonds connected to this carbon atom and this carbon atom generally adopts an sp³ atomic orbital hybridization.

"Unsaturated carbon" means a carbon atom in a structure, molecule or group wherein at least one bond connected to this carbon atom is not a single bond. In other words, there is at least one double or triple bond connected to this carbon atom and this carbon atom generally adopts a sp or sp² atomic orbital hybridization.

In the context of the present specification, the term "therapy" also includes

"prophylaxis" unless there are specific indications to the contrary. The term "therapeutic" and

"therapeutically" should be contrued accordingly. The term "therapy" within the context of the present invention further encompasses to administer an effective amount of a compound of the present invention, to mitigate either a pre-existing disease state, acute or chronic, or a recurring condition. This definition also encompasses prophylactic therapies for prevention of recurring conditions and continued therapy for chronic disorders.

Summary of the Invention This invention encompasses compounds in accord with formula I:

I wherein Z is selected from O= and S=;

R¹ is selected from C_M0alkyl, C_2-K)alkenyl, C_2-ι₀alkynyl, R⁵R°N-Cι_-6alkyl, R⁵O-Cι_-6 alkyl, R⁵C(=O)N(-R⁶)-C_1-6alkyl, R⁵R⁶NS(=O)₂-C_1-6alkyl, R⁵CS(=O)₂N(-R⁶)-C_1-6alkyl, R⁵R°NC(=O)N(-R⁷)-C_1-6alkyl, R⁵R°NS(=O)₂N(R⁷)-C_1-6alkyl, C_6-]0aryl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_6-10aryl- C(=O)-C)_-6alkyl, C₃.₁₀cycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C _-8cycloalkenyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl-Cι. ₆alkyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl-C(=O)-C_1-6alkyl, Cι_-10hydrocarbylamino, R^⁶] -, R⁵O-, R⁵C(=O)N(- R⁶)-, R⁵R⁶NS(=O)₂-, R⁵CS(=O)₂N(-R⁶)-, R⁵R⁶NC(=O)N(-R⁷)-, R⁵R⁶NS(=O)₂N(R⁷)-, C_{6- l}oaryl, C₆-ιoaryl-C(=O)-, C_3-ι₀cycloalkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl and C_{3- 6}heterocyclyl-C(=O)-; wherein said Cι.₁₀alkyl, C₂_ι₀alkenyl, C_2-ι₀alkynyl, C_6- oaryl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_6-ιoaryl-C(=O)-C_1-6alkyl, C_3-1ocycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C _-8cycloalkenyl-C]_-6alkyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C₃.₆heterocyclyl-C(=O)-C_1-6alkyl, Cj-iohydrocarbylamino, C₆-ι₀aryl, C_6-ιoaryl-C(=O)-, C_3-ι₀cycloalkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl, C _-6heterocyclyl or C₃-₆heterocyclyl-C(=O)- used in defining R¹ is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and -NR⁵R⁶; R is selected from the group consisting of Ci-ioalkyl, C_2-ι₀alkenyl, C_2-ι₀alkynyl, C_3- incycloalkyl, C_3-ι₀cycloalkyl-C_1-6alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_3-6heterocycloalkyl-Cι_ ₆alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl, R⁵R°N-, C_3-5heteroaryl, C_6-ι₀aryl and C_3-6heterocycloalkyl, wherein said Ci-ioalkyl, C_2-ι₀alkenyl, C -ιoalkynyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_3-6heterocycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl, C₃.₅heteroaryl, C₆-i₀aryl or C₃.₆heterocycloalkyl used in defining R² is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and — NR⁵R⁶; wherein R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ are independently selected from -H, C^aUcyl, C₂-₆alkenyl, C_{2- 6}alkynyl, and a divalent Ci_-6group that together with another divalent R⁵, R⁶ or R⁷ forms a portion of a ring; and R³ is selected from R⁸, R⁸O-, and R'R'N-; each of R⁴, R⁸ and R⁹ is independently selected from -H, Ci-ioalkyl, C_2-ι₀alkenyl, C_{2- l}oalkynyl, C₃-₁₀cycloalkyl, C_3-ιocycloalkyl-Cι.₆alkyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl, C_6-10aryl, C_3-6heterocylcyl-Cι-₆alkyl, C₆.₁₀aryl-Cι_-6alkyl, and a divalent Cι_-6group that together with another divalent group selected from R⁴, R⁸ and R⁹ forms a portion of a ring, wherein said Ci-ioalkyl, C _ι₀alkenyl, C_2-ιoalkynyl, C_3-1ocycloalkyl, C₃-ιocycloalkyl-Cι.₆alkyl, C_3-

₆heterocyclyl, C₆-ioaryl,

C_6-ιoaryl-Cι_-6alkyl, or divalent Cι_-6group is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and -NR⁵R⁶.

The invention also encompasses stereoisomers, enantiomers, diastereomers, racemates or mixtures thereof, -v/^'vo-hydrolysable precursors and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts of compounds of formula I, solvated or unsolvated forms of compounds of formula I, pharmaceutical compositions and formulations containing them, methods of using them to treat diseases and conditions either alone or in combination with other therapeutically-active compounds or substances, processes and intermediates used to prepare them, uses of them as medicaments, uses of them in the manufacture of medicaments and uses of them for diagnostic and analytic purposes. Description of Preferred Embodiments In one aspect, the invention provides a compound of formula I, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, diastereomers, enantiomers, or mixtures thereof:

I wherein

Z is selected from O= and S=;

R¹ is selected from C_.ιoalkyl, C₂-_]0alkenyl, C_2-ι₀alkynyl, R⁵R°N-Cι_-6alkyl, R⁵O-C_1-6 alkyl, R⁵C(=O)N(-R⁶)-C,_-6alkyl, R⁵R°NS(=O)₂-Cι.₆alkyl, R⁵CS(=O)₂N(-R⁶)-Cι_-6alkyl, R⁵R°NC(=O)N(-R⁷)-Cι_-6alkyl, R⁵R⁶NS(=O)₂N(R⁷)-Cι_-6alkyl, C_6-ι₀aryl-C,_-6alkyl, C_6-K)aryl- C(=^:O)-Cι-6alkyl, C_3-ιocycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C _-8cycloalkenyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C₃.₆heterocyclyl-Ci. βalkyl, C₃-₆heteiOcyclyl-C(=O)-Cι_-6alkyl, C _Ohydrocarbylamino, R⁵R°N-, R⁵O-, R⁵C(=O)N(- R⁶)-, R⁵R°NS(=O)₂-, R⁵CS(=O)₂N(-R⁶)-, R⁵R°NC(=O)N(-R⁷)-, R⁵R°NS(=O)₂N(R⁷)-, C₆. loaryl, C₆_ιoaryl-C(=O)-, C₃-ιocycloalkyl, C _-8cycloalkenyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl and C_{3- 6}heterocyclyl-C(=O)-; wherein said Cι.]₀alkyl, C -ι₀alkenyl, C_2-ι₀alkynyl, C_6-ιoaryl-Cι_-6alkyl,

C_3-ι₀cycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C₄. cycloalkenyl-Cι.₆alkyl,

C3-6heterocyclyl-Cι_₆alkyl, C₃.₆heterocyclyl-C(=O)-Ci_-6alkyl, Ci-iohydrocarbylamino, C_6-ιoaryl, C_6-ιoaryl-C(=O)-, C_3-ι₀cycloalkyl, C₄.₈cycloalkenyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl or C_3-6heteiOcyclyl-C(=O)- used in defining R¹ is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and -NR⁵R⁶; R² is selected from the group consisting of Ci-ioalkyl, C_2-ι₀alkenyl, C_2-ι₀alkynyl, C_3- locycloalkyl, C3.ιocycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C -8Cycloalkenyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_3-6heterocycloalkyl-Cι. ₆alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl, R⁵R⁶N-, C_3-5heteroaryl, C₆-ιoaryl and C₃.₆heterocycloalkyl, wherein said Ci-ioalkyl, C₂.ι₀alkenyl, C -ιoalkynyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C _-8cycloalkenyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C₃.₆heterocycloalkyl-C]_-6alkyl, C _-8cycloalkenyl, C_3-5heteroaryl, C_6-ι₀aryl or C_3-6heterocycloalkyl used in defining R² is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and — NR⁵R⁶; wherein R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ are independently selected from -H, Cι_-6alkyl, C₂.₆alkenyl, C_{2- 6}alkynyl, and a divalent Cι_-6group that together with another divalent R⁵, R⁶ or R⁷ forms a portion of a ring; and R³ is selected from R⁸, R⁸O-, and R⁸R⁹N-; each of R⁴, R⁸ and R⁹ is independently selected from -H, Ci.ioalkyl, C_2-ιoalkenyl, C₂. _loalkynyl, C_3-ιocycloalkyl, C_3-ι₀cycloalkyl-Cι-₆alkyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl, C_6-ι₀aryl, C_3-6heterocylcyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_6-ι₀aryl-Cι-₆alkyl, and a divalent Cι_-6group that together with another divalent group selected from R⁴, R⁸ and R⁹ forms a portion of a ring, wherein said Ci-ioalkyl, C_2-ι₀alkenyl, C_2-ι₀alkynyl, C_3-ιocycloalkyl, C_3-ιocycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C₃. ₆heterocyclyl, C₆_ιoaryl, C_3-6heterocylcyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C₆-ι₀aryl-Cι.₆alkyl, or divalent C]_-6group is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and -NR⁵R⁶. Particularly, the compounds of the present invention are those of formula I, wherein

Z is O=;

R¹ is selected from C_wal yl, C₂.₆alkenyl, C_2-6alkynyl, R⁵R°N-Cι-₄alkyl, R⁵O-Cι. ₄alkyl, R⁵C(=O)N(-R⁶)-Cι_-4alkyl, phenyl-Ci^alkyl, phenyl-C(=O)-C_]-4alkyl, C_3-ι₀cycloalkyl- Cι- alkyl, C _-6cycloalkenyl-Cι_-4alkyl,

C_3-6heterocyclyl-C(=O)- Cι_₄alkyl, R⁵R°N-, R⁵O-₅ R⁵R°NS(= )₂-, C₆-ι₀aryl, C_6-ι₀aryl-C(=O)-, C_3-ι₀cycloalkyl, C_{4- ό}cycloalkenyl, C₃.₆heterocyclyl and C_3-6heterocyclyl-C(=O)-; wherein said Cι_-6alkyl, C_{2- 6}alkenyl, C .₆alkynyl, phenyl-Cι- alkyl, phenyl-C(=O)-C]. alkyl, C₃_ι₀cycloalkyl-Cι.₄alkyl, C_4-6cycloalkenyl-Cι- alkyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl-Cι_-4alkyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl-C(=O)-Cι- alkyl, C₆- ιoaryl, C_6-ioaryl-C(=O)-, C_3-ι₀cycloalkyl, C_4-6cycloalkenyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl or C_{3- 6}heterocyclyl-C(=O)- used in defining R¹ is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and -NR R ; wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are independently selected from -H, Cι_-6alkyl and C_2-6alkenyl;

R² is selected from the group consisting of Cι_-6alkyl, C_2-6alkenyl, C₃.₆cycloalkyl, C_3-

₆cycloalkyl-Cι_-4alkyl, C_4-6cycloalkenyl-Cι- alkyl, C₃_₆heterocycloalkyl-Cι_-4alkyl, C₄. βcycloalkenyl, C_3-5heteroaryl, R⁵R N-, phenyl and C_3-6heterocycloalkyl, wherein said Ci. ₆alkyl, C_2-6alkenyl, C_3-6cycloalkyl, C_3-6cycloalkyl-Cι.₄alkyl, C_4-6cycloalkenyl-C]- alkyl, C_3-6heterocycloalkyl-Cι.₄alkyl, C_4-6cycloalkenyl, C_3-5heteroaryl, phenyl or C_{3- 6}heterocycloalkyl used in defining R is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and amino; and R³ is selected from R⁸, R⁸O-, R⁸HN- and R⁸R⁹N-;

R⁸ and R⁹ are independently selected from Cι_-6alkyl, C_2-6alkenyl, C₃_₈cycloalkyl, C_{3- 8}cycloalkyl-Cι_-4alkyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl, phenyl, C_3-6heterocylcyl-Cι- alkyl, and phenyl-C]. alkyl, wherein said Cι_₆alkyl, C₂.₆alkenyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl-Cι- alkyl, C_{3- 6}heterocyclyl, phenyl, C_3-6heterocylcyl-Cι_-4alkyl, or phenyl-Ci^alkyl is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and amino; and

R⁴ is selected from -H, Cι_-6alkyl and C_2-6alkenyl. More particularly, the compounds of the present invention are those of formula I, wherein Z is O=;

R¹ is selected from Cι_-6alkyl, C_2-6alkenyl, R⁵R⁶N-C alkyl, R⁵O-Cι_₄alkyl, R⁵C(=O)N(-R⁶)-Cι_-4alkyl, phenyl-C_]-4alkyl, phenyl-C(=O)-Cι_-4alkyl, C_3-ιocycloalkyl-Cι. ₄alkyl, C _-6cycloalkenyl-C_1- alkyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl-Cι- alkyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl-C(=O)- Cι- alkyl, phenyl, C_3-ι₀cycloalkyl, C₃_₆heterocyclyl and C_3-6heterocyclyl-C(=O)-; wherein said Cι_-6alkyl, C_2-6alkenyl, R^^-C^alkyl, R⁵O-Cι_-4alkyl, R⁵C(=O)N(-R⁶)-C_Malkyl, phenyl-

C_4-6cycloalkenyl-Cι- alkyl, C₃_ ₆heterocyclyl-Cι_₄alkyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl-C(=O)-C]- alkyl, phenyl, C_3-ι₀cycloalkyl, C_{3- 6}heterocyclyl or C₃.₆heterocyclyl-C(=O)- used in defining R¹ is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and -NR⁵R⁶;

R² is selected from the group consisting of Ci^alkyl, C_3-6cycloalkyl, R⁵R°N-, C_3-6cycloalkyl-Cι- alkyl, C_3-6heterocycloalkyl-Cι_-4alkyl, C_3-6heterocycloalkyl, C_3-5heteroaryl, and phenyl wherein said Cι_-6alkyl, C_3-6cycloalkyl, C₃-₆cycloalkyl-Cι_-4alkyl, C₃-₆heterocycloalkyl-Ci-₄alkyl, C₃-₆heterocycloalkyl, C_3-5heteroaryl, and phenyl used in defining R² is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and amino;

R⁵ and R⁶ are independently selected from -H, Cι-₆alkyl and C _-6alkenyl; and

R³ is selected from R⁸, R⁸O-, R⁸HN- and R⁸R⁹N-; R⁸ and R⁹ are independently selected from Cι_-6alkyl, C_2-6alkenyl, C _-6cycloalkyl, C_3-

₆cycloalkyl-Cι_-4alkyl, C_3-5heterocyclyl, phenyl, C_3-5heterocylcyl-Cι_-4alkyl, and phenyl-Ci. alkyl, wherein said Cι_₆alkyl, C_2-6alkenyl, C_3-6cycloalkyl, C_3-6cycloalkyl-Cι_-4alkyl, C_{3- 5}heterocyclyl, phenyl, C₃.₅heterocylcyl-Ci_₄alkyl, or phenyl-Cι_-4alkyl is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, methoxy, methyl, and ethyl; and R⁴ is selected from -H and Cι_-4alkyl.

Most particularly, the compounds of the present invention are those of formula I, wherein

Z is O-; R is selected from cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopropylmethyl, ethyl, propyl, adamantyl, adamantylmethyl, allyl, isopentyl, benzyl, methoxyethyl, tetrahydropyranylmethyl, tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, cyclohexyloxy, cyclohexylamino, dimethylaminoethyl, 4-pyridylmethyl, 2-pyridylmethyl, 1-pyrrolylethyl, 1- morpholinoethyl, 4,4-difluorocyclohexylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, 2-pyrrolidylmehtyl, N- methyl-2-pyrrolidylmethyl, 2-piperidylmethyl, N-methyl-2-piperidylmethyl, 3-thienylmethyl, (2-nitrothiophene-5-yl)-methyl, (1 -methyl- 1 H-imidazole-2-yl)methyl, (5-(acetoxymethyl)-2- furyl)methyl), (2,3-dihydro-lH-isoindole-l-yl)methyl, and 5-(2-methylthiazolyl);

R is selected from t-butyl, n-butyl, 2-methyl-2-butyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexylmethyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, trifluoromethyl, 1,1-difluoroethyl, N-piperidyl, dimethylamino, phenyl, pyridyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, 2-methoxy-2-propyl and N-morpholinyl;

R³ is selected from methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, iso-butyl, phenyl, pyridyl, imidazolyl, naphthalenyl, isopropylamino and 2-thienyl; and

R⁴ is selected from -H, methyl and ethyl. It will be understood that when compounds of the present invention contain one or more chiral centers, the compounds of the invention may exist in, and be isolated as, enantiomeric or diastereomeric forms, or as a racemic mixture. The present invention includes any possible enantiomers, diastereomers, racemates or mixtures thereof, of a compound of Formula I. The optically active forms of the compound of the invention may be prepared, for example, by chiral chromatographic separation of a racemate, by synthesis from optically active starting materials or by asymmetric synthesis based on the procedures described thereafter.

It will also be appreciated that certain compounds of the present invention may exist as geometrical isomers, for example E and Z isomers of alkenes. The present invention includes any geometrical isomer of a compound of Formula I. It will further be understood that the present invention encompasses tautomers of the compounds of the formula I.

It will also be understood that certain compounds of the present invention may exist in solvated, for example hydrated, as well as unsolvated forms. It will further be understood that the present invention encompasses all such solvated forms of the compounds of the formula I. Within the scope of the invention are also salts of the compounds of the formula I.

Generally, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds of the present invention may be obtained using standard procedures well known in the art, for example by reacting a sufficiently basic compound, for example an alkyl amine with a suitable acid, for example, HC1 or acetic acid, to afford a physiologically acceptable anion. It may also be possible to make a corresponding alkali metal (such as sodium, potassium, or lithium) or an alkaline earth metal (such as a calcium) salt by treating a compound of the present invention having a suitably acidic proton, such as a carboxylic acid or a phenol with one equivalent of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide or alkoxide (such as the ethoxide or methoxide), or a suitably basic organic amine (such as choline or meglumine) in an aqueous medium, followed by conventional purification techniques.

In one embodiment, the compound of formula I above may be converted to a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, particularly, an acid addition salt such as a hydrochloride, hydrobromide, phosphate, acetate, fumarate, maleate, tartrate, citrate, methanesulphonate or ju-toluenesulphonate.

We have now found that the compounds of the invention have activity as pharmaceuticals, in particular as modulators or ligands such as agonists, partial agonists, inverse agonist or antagonists of CBI receptors. More particularly, the compounds of the invention exhibit selective activity as agonist of the CBI receptors and are useful in therapy, especially for relief of various pain conditions such as chronic pain, neuropathic pain, acute pain, cancer pain, pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, visceral pain etc. This list should however not be interpreted as exhaustive. Additionally, compounds of the present invention are useful in other disease states in which dysfunction of CBI receptors is present or implicated. Furthermore, the compounds of the invention may be used to treat cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety disorders, gastrointestinal disorders and cardiovascular disorders.

Compounds of the invention are useful as immunomodulators, especially for autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis, for skin grafts, organ transplants and similar surgical needs, for collagen diseases, various allergies, for use as anti-tumour agents and anti viral agents.

Compounds of the invention are useful in disease states where degeneration or dysfunction of cannabinoid receptors is present or implicated in that paradigm. This may involve the use of isotopically labelled versions of the compounds of the invention in diagnostic techniques and imaging applications such as positron emission tomography (PET). Compounds of the invention are useful for the treatment of diarrhoea, depression, anxiety and stress-related disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorders, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and obsessive compulsive disorder, urinary incontinence, premature ejaculation, various mental illnesses, cough, lung oedema, various gastro-intestinal disorders, e.g. constipation, functional gastrointestinal disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Functional Dyspepsia, Parkinson's disease and other motor disorders, traumatic brain injury, stroke, cardioprotection following myocardial infarction, spinal injury and drug addiction, including the treatment of alcohol, nicotine, opioid and other drug abuse and for disorders of the sympathetic nervous system for example hypertension.

Compounds of the invention are useful as an analgesic agent for use during general anaesthesia and monitored anaesthesia care. Combinations of agents with different properties are often used to achieve a balance of effects needed to maintain the anaesthetic state (e.g. amnesia, analgesia, muscle relaxation and sedation). Included in this combination are inhaled anaesthetics, hypnotics, anxiolytics, neuromuscular blockers and opioids.

Also within the scope of the invention is the use of any of the compounds according to the formula I above, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of any of the conditions discussed above. A further aspect of the invention is a method for the treatment of a subject suffering from any of the conditions discussed above, whereby an effective amount of a compound according to the formula I above, is administered to a patient in need of such treatment.

Thus, the invention provides a compound of formula I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as hereinbefore defined for use in therapy. In a further aspect, the present invention provides the use of a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as hereinbefore defined in the manufacture of a medicament for use in therapy.

The compounds of the present invention are useful in therapy, especially for the therapy of various pain conditions including, but not limited to: acute pain, chronic pain, neuropathic pain, back pain, cancer pain, and visceral pain.

In use for therapy in a warm-blooded animal such as a human, the compound of the invention may be administered in the form of a conventional pharmaceutical composition by any route including orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, topically, intranasally, intraperitoneally, intrathoracially, intravenously, epidurally, intrathecally, intracerebroventricularly and by injection into the joints.

In one embodiment of the invention, the route of administration may be orally, intravenously or intramuscularly. The dosage will depend on the route of administration, the severity of the disease, age and weight of the patient and other factors normally considered by the attending physician, when determining the individual regimen and dosage level at the most appropriate for a particular patient. For preparing pharmaceutical compositions from the compounds of this invention, inert, pharmaceutically acceptable carriers can be either solid and liquid. Solid form preparations include powders, tablets, dispersible granules, capsules, cachets, and suppositories.

A solid carrier can be one or more substances, which may also act as diluents, flavoring agents, solubilizers, lubricants, suspending agents, binders, or table disintegrating agents; it can also be an encapsulating material.

In powders, the carrier is a finely divided solid, which is in a mixture with the finely divided compound of the invention, or the active component. In tablets, the active component is mixed with the carrier having the necessary binding properties in suitable proportions and compacted in the shape and size desired.

For preparing suppository compositions, a low-melting wax such as a mixture of fatty acid glycerides and cocoa butter is first melted and the active ingredient is dispersed therein by, for example, stirring. The molten homogeneous mixture in then poured into convenient sized moulds and allowed to cool and solidify. Suitable carriers are magnesium carbonate, magnesium stearate, talc, lactose, sugar, pectin, dextrin, starch, tragacanth, methyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, a low- melting wax, cocoa butter, and the like.

The term composition is also intended to include the formulation of the active component with encapsulating material as a carrier providing a capsule in which the active component (with or without other carriers) is surrounded by a carrier which is thus in association with it. Similarly, cachets are included.

Tablets, powders, cachets, and capsules can be used as solid dosage forms suitable for oral administration.

Liquid form compositions include solutions, suspensions, and emulsions. For example, sterile water or water propylene glycol solutions of the active compounds may be liquid preparations suitable for parenteral administration. Liquid compositions can also be formulated in solution in aqueous polyethylene glycol solution. Aqueous solutions for oral administration can be prepared by dissolving the active component in water and adding suitable colorants, flavoring agents, stabilizers, and thickening agents as desired. Aqueous suspensions for oral use can be made by dispersing the finely divided active component in water together with a viscous material such as natural synthetic gums, resins, methyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and other suspending agents known to the pharmaceutical formulation art.

Depending on the mode of administration, the pharmaceutical composition will preferably include from 0.05% to 99%w (per cent by weight), more preferably from 0.10 to 50%w, of the compound of the invention, all percentages by weight being based on total composition.

A therapeutically effective amount for the practice of the present invention may be determined, by the use of known criteria including the age, weight and response of the individual patient, and interpreted within the context of the disease which is being treated or which is being prevented, by one of ordinary skills in the art. Within the scope of the invention is the use of any compound of formula I as defined above for the manufacture of a medicament.

Also within the scope of the invention is the use of any compound of formula I for the manufacture of a medicament for the therapy of pain.

Additionally provided is the use of any compound according to Formula I for the manufacture of a medicament for the therapy of various pain conditions including, but not limited to: acute pain, chronic pain, neuropathic pain, back pain, cancer pain, and visceral pain.

A further aspect of the invention is a method for therapy of a subject suffering from any of the conditions discussed above, whereby an effective amount of a compound according to the formula I above, is administered to a patient in need of such therapy.

Additionally, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Particularly, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for therapy, more particularly for therapy of pain. Further, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier use in any of the conditions discussed above.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of preparing the compounds of the present invention.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a process for preparing a compound of formula II,

II

comprising the step of reacting a compound of formula III,

III with a compound of R³C(=O)X to form the compound of formula II, wherein

X is selected from -Cl, -Br, -I, -OH, -OCH₃ and -OCH₂CH₃; R¹ is selected from Cι.ι₀alkyl, C_2-]0alkenyl, C -ι₀alkynyl, R⁵R°N-Cι.₆alkyl, R⁵O-Cι_-6 alkyl, R⁵C(=O)N(-R⁶)-Cι_-6alkyl, R⁵R⁶NS(=O)₂-Cι_-6alkyl, R⁵CS(=O)₂N(-R⁶)-Cι_-6alkyl, R⁵R°NC(=O)N(-R⁷)-C_1-6alkyl, R⁵R⁶NS(=O)₂N(R⁷)-C_1-6alkyl, C_6-]₀aryl-Ci_-6alkyl, C_6-)0aryl- C(=O)-Cι_-6alkyl, C_3-ι₀cycloalkyl-Cι.₆alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C₃.₆heterocyclyl-Cι.. ₆alkyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl-C(=O)-Cι_-6alkyl, Ci-iohydrocarbylamino, R⁵R⁶N-, R⁵O-, R⁵C(=O)N(- R⁶)-, R⁵R⁶NS(=O)₂-, R⁵CS(=O)₂N(-R⁶)-, R⁵R°NC(=O)N(-R⁷)-, R⁵R°NS(=O)₂N(R⁷)-, C_{6- l}oaryl, C_6-ιoaryl-C(=O)-, C_3-ιocycloalkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl and C_{3- 6}heterocyclyl-C(=O)-; wherein said Ci-ioalkyl, C_2-ιoalkenyl, C_2-ιoalkynyl, C_6-ιoaryl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_6-ιoaryl-C(=O)-Cι_-6alkyl, Cs-iocycloalkyl-Ci-ealkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl-C]_-6alkyl, C₃_₆heterocyclyl-C(=O)-Cι_-6alkyl, Ci-iohydrocarbylamino, C_6-ιoaryl, C₆_ιoaryl-C(=O)-, C_3-ι₀cycloalkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl or C_3-6heterocyclyl-C(=O)- used in defining R¹ is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and -NR⁵R⁶;

R² is selected from the group consisting of Ci-ioalkyl, C_2-ιoalkenyl, C_2-ιoalkynyl, C_3- scycloalkyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl-Cι-₆alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_3-6heterocycloalkyl-Cι. ₆alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl, R⁵R°N-, C_3-5heteroaryl, C₆_ιoaryl and C₃.₆heterocycloalkyl, wherein said Ci-ioalkyl, C_2-ιoalkenyl, C_2-ιoalkynyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C₄-₈cycloalkenyl-Cι-₆alkyl, C₃-₆heterocycloalkyl-C]_-6alkyl, C_4-scycloalkenyl, C_3-5heteroaryl, C_6-ι₀aryl or C_3-6heterocycloalkyl used in defining R² is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and amino; wherein R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ are independently selected from -H, Cι_-6alkyl, C₂-₆alkenyl, C_{2- 6}alkynyl, and a divalent Cι_-6group that together with another divalent R⁵, R⁶ or R⁷ forms a portion of a ring;

R³ is selected from R⁸, R⁸O-, R⁸NH-, and R'R'N-; R⁸ and R⁹ are independently selected from Cι_-6alkyl, C _-6alkenyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl, C_3-

₈cycloalkyl-Cι- alkyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl, phenyl, Cs-_δheterocylcyl-C_Malkyl, and phenyl-Ci. ₄alkyl, wherein said Cι_-6alkyl, C_2-6alkenyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl-Cι_-4alkyl, C_{3- ό}heterocyclyl, phenyl, C₃.₆heterocylcyl-C alkyl, or phenyl-Cι- alkyl is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and amino; and

R⁴ is selected from -H, Cι_-6alkyl and C _-6alkenyl.

Particularly, the present invention provides a method of preparing a compound of formula II, wherein Z is O=;

R¹ is selected from cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopropylmethyl, ethyl, propyl, adamantyl, adamantylmethyl, allyl, isopentyl, benzyl, methoxyethyl, tetrahydropyranylmethyl, tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, cyclohexyloxy, cyclohexylamino, dimethylaminoethyl, 4-pyridylmethyl, 2-pyridylmethyl, 1-pyrrolylethyl, 1- morpholinoethyl, 4,4-difluorocyclohexylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, 2-pyrrolidylmehtyl, N- methyl-2-pyrrolidylmethyl, 2-piperidylmethyl, N-methyl-2-piperidylmethyl, 3-thienylmethyl, , (2-nitrothiophene-5-yl)-methyl, (1 -methyl- lH-imidazole-2-yl)methyl, (5-(acetoxymethyl)-2- furyl)methyl), (2,3-dihydro-lH-isoindole-l-yl)methyl, and 5-(2-methylthiazolyl); R is selected from t-butyl, n-butyl, 2-methyl-2-butyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexylmethyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, trifluoromethyl, 1,1-difluoroethyl, N-piperidyl, dimethylamino, phenyl, pyridyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, 2-methoxy-2-propyl and N-morpholinyl;

R³ is selected from methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, iso-butyl, phenyl, pyridyl, imidazolyl, naphthalenyl, isopropylamino and 2-thienyl; and

R⁴ is selected from -H, methyl and ethyl.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for preparing a compound of formula IV,

IV

comprising the step of reacting a compound of formula V,

V with a reducing agent selected from A1H₃, NaBE , NaBH(O-iPr)₃, and LiAlH , wherein

R¹ is selected from Ci-ioalkyl, C_2-ι₀alkenyl, C_2-)0alkynyl, R⁵R°N-Ci_-6alkyl, R⁵O-Cι_₆ alkyl, R⁵C(=O)N(-R⁶)-C_]-6alkyl, R⁵R⁶NS(=O)₂-Cι_-6alkyl, R⁵CS(=O)₂N(-R⁶)-Cι_-6alkyl, R⁵R⁶NC(=O)N(-R⁷)-Cι_-6alkyl, R⁵R⁶NS(=O)₂N(R⁷)-C_1-6alkyl, C_6-ι₀aryl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_6-ι₀aryl- C(=O)-Cι.₆alkyl, C_3-ιocycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl-Cι.₆alkyl, C₃.₆heterocyclyl-Cι- ₆alkyl, C₃-₆heterocyclyl-C(=O)-Cι.₆alkyl, Ci-iohydrocarbylamino, R⁵R°N-, R⁵O-, R⁵C(=O)N(- R⁶)-, R⁵R⁶NS(=O)₂-, R⁵CS(=O)₂N(-R⁶)-, R⁵R°NC(=O)N(-R⁷)-, R⁵R⁶NS(=O)₂N(R⁷)-, C₆. _loaryl, C₆-ιoaryl-C(=O)-, C₃-ιocycloalkyl, C_4-scycloalkenyl, C₃.₆heterocyclyl and C_{3- 6}heterocyclyl-C(=O)-; wherein said Cj.ioalkyl, C₂_ιoalkenyl, C_2-ιoalkynyl, C₆-ιoaryl-Cι_₆alkyl, C₆.ioaryl-C(=O)-C]_-6alkyl, Cs-iocycloalkyl-Ci-βalkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl-Cι_-6alkyl,

C₃-₆heterocyclyl-C]_-6alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C(=O)-C]-6alkyl, Ci-iohydrocarbylamino, C_6-ιoaryl, C_6-ιoaryl-C(=O)-, C_3-ιocycloalkyl, C₄.₈cycloalkenyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl or Cs-_όheterocyclyl-C^O)- used in defining R¹ is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and amino;

R is selected from the group consisting of Ci-ioalkyl, C_2-ιoalkenyl, C_2-ιoalkynyl, C_{3- g}cycloalkyl, C₃.₈cycloalkyl-Cι-₆alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_3-6heterocycloalkyl-Cι. ₆alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl, R⁵R°N-, C_3-5heteroaryl, C₆_ιoaryl and C₃-₆heterocycloalkyl, wherein said Ci-ioalkyl, C -ιoalkenyl, C_2-ιoalkynyl, C₃-₈cycloalkyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C _-8cycloalkenyl-Cι-₆alkyl, C_3-6heterocycloalkyl-Cι-₆alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl, C₃_₅heteroaryl, C_δ-ioaryl or C_3-6heterocycloalkyl used in defining R is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and — NR⁵R⁶; wherein R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ are independently selected from -H, Cι_-6alkyl, C₂-₆alkenyl, C . ₆alkynyl, and a divalent C].₆group that together with another divalent R⁵, R⁶ or R⁷ forms a portion of a ring; and

R¹⁰ is selected from -H, Cι-₆alkyl, and Cι_-6alkenyl. Particularly, the present invention provides a method of preparing a compound of formula IV, wherein

R¹ is selected from cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopropylmethyl, ethyl, propyl, adamantyl, adamantylmethyl, allyl, isopentyl, benzyl, methoxyethyl, tetrahydropyranylmethyl, tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, cyclohexyloxy, cyclohexylamino, dimethylaminoethyl, 4-pyridylmethyl, 2-pyridylmethyl, 1 -pyrrolylethyl, 1- morpholinoethyl, 4,4-difluorocyclohexylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, 2-pyrrolidylmehtyl, N- methyl-2-pyrrolidylmethyl, 2-piperidylmethyl, N-methyl-2-piperidylmethyl, 3-thienylmethyl, (2-nitrothiophene-5-yl)-methyl, (l-methyl-lH-imidazole-2-yl)methyl, (5-(acetoxymethyl)-2- furyl)methyl), (2,3-dihydro-lH-isoindole-l-yl)methyl, and 5-(2-methylthiazolyl); R² is selected from t-butyl, n-butyl, 2-methyl-2-butyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexylmethyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, trifluoromethyl, 1,1-difluoroethyl, N-piperidyl, dimethylamino, phenyl, pyridyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, 2-methoxy-2-propyl and N-morpholinyl; and

R¹⁰ is selected from -H and Cι_-6alkyl.

Compounds of the present invention may be prepared according to the synthetic routes as depicted in Schemes 1 and 2 using one or more methods disclosed above. cheme 1. (A synthetic route used for the synthesis of compounds including Examples 1 to 6

40 psi H₂, Pd solvent, e.g. EtOAc

1) R²COCI

when R³=OMe: reducing agent, e.g. AIH₃ 1) base, e.g. NaH solvent, e.g. ^"HF, solvent, e.g. THF low temperat re, e.g. -10 to 0°C 2) R⁴I

,N„

T where R⁴ = Me;

R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as defined above. Scheme 2. (A synthetic route used for the synthesis of compounds including Examples 7 and 8)

R³COCI acid, e.g. HCI solvent, e.g. AcCN

, r heat, e.g. 120°C

2 base, e.g. DMAP o TX * solvent, e.g. EtOH ^RY n^N or isocynate base, e.g. DIPEA heat, e.g. 60 °C c - solvent, e.g. 1 ,2-dichloroethane

R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as defined above.

Biological Evaluation hCB_j^ and hCB? receptor binding

Human CBi receptor from Receptor Biology (hCBl) or human CB₂ receptor from BioSignal (hCB2) membranes are thawed at 37 °C, passed 3 times through a 25-gauge blunt- end needle, diluted in the cannabinoid binding buffer (50 mM Tris, 2.5 mM EDTA, 5 mM MgCl₂, and 0.5 mg/mL BSA fatty acid free, pH 7.4) and aliquots containing the appropriate amount of protein are distributed in 96- well plates. The IC₅o of the compounds of the invention at hCBi and hCB₂ are evaluated from 10-point dose-response curves done with ³H- CP55,940 at 20000 to 25000 dpm per well (0.17-0.21 nM) in a final volume of 300 μl. The total and non-specific binding are determined in the absence and presence of 0.2 μM of HU210 respectively. The plates are vortexed and incubated for 60 minutes at room temperature, filtered through Unifilters GF/B (presoaked in 0.1% polyethyleneimine) with the Tomtec or Packard harvester using 3 mL of wash buffer (50 mM Tris, 5 mM MgCl₂, 0.5 mg BSA pH 7.0). The filters are dried for 1 hour at 55 °C. The radioactivity (cpm) is counted in a TopCount (Packard) after adding 65 μl/well of MS-20 scintillation liquid.

Human CBi receptor from Receptor Biology (hCBi) or human CB₂ receptor membranes (BioSignal) are thawed at 37 °C, passed 3 times through a 25-gauge blunt-end needle and diluted in the GTPγS binding buffer (50 mM Hepes, 20 mM NaOH, 100 mM

NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, 5 mM MgCl₂, pH 7.4, 0.1% BSA). The EC₅₀ and E_max of the compounds of the invention are evaluated from 10-point dose-response curves done in 300μl with the appropriate amount of membrane protein and 100000-130000 dpm of GTPg³⁵S per well (0.11 -0.14 nM). The basal and maximal stimulated binding is determined in absence and presence of 1 μM (hCB₂) or 10 μM (hCBi) Win 55,212-2 respectively. The membranes are pre- incubated for 5 minutes with 56.25 μM (hCB2) or 112.5 μM (hCBi) GDP prior to distribution in plates (15 μM (hCB₂) or 30 μM (hCBi) GDP final). The plates are vortexed and incubated for 60 minutes at room temperature, filtered on Unifilters GF B (presoaked in water) with the Tomtec or Packard harvester using 3 ml of wash buffer (50 mM Tris, 5 mM MgCl₂, 50 mM NaCl, pH 7.0). The filters are dried for 1 hour at-55 °C. The radioactivity (cpm) is counted in a TopCount (Packard) after adding 65 μl/well of MS-20 scintillation liquid. Antagonist reversal studies are done in the same way except that (a) an agonist dose-response curve is done in the presence of a constant concentration of antagonist, or (b) an antagonist dose- response curve is done in the presence of a constant concentration of agonist. Based on the above assays, the dissociation constant (Ki) for a particular compound of the invention towards a particular receptor is determined using the following equation: Ki = IC₅₀/(l+[rad]/Kd),

Wherein IC₅o is the concentration of the compound of the invention at which 50% displacement has been observed; [rad] is a standard or reference radioactive ligand concentration at that moment; and

Kd is the dissociation constant of the radioactive ligand towards the particular receptor. Using above-mentioned assays, the Ki towards human CBi receptors for most compounds of the invention is measured to be in the range of 36-5700 nM. The Ki towards human CB₂ receptors for most compounds of the invention is measured to be in the range of about 1.6-36 nM. Using the above described assays, the IC₅₀ towards CBi receptor for most of the compounds of the present invention is generally in the range of 14.1 nM - 3920.3 nM. EXAMPLES

The invention will further be described in more detail by the following Examples which describe methods whereby compounds of the present invention may be prepared, purified, analyzed and biologically tested, and which are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Example 1

N-[2-tert-Butyl-l-(cyclohexylmethyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]-N-methylthiophene-2- carboxamide

Step A. N-[2-tert-Butyl-l-(cyclohexylmethyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]-N- methyIthiophene-2-carboxamide

2-tert-Butyl-l-(cyclohexylmethyl)-N-methyl-lH-benzimidazol-5-amine (30 mg, 0.100 mmol) (for preparation, see the following steps B to F) and a catalytic amount of DMAP were dissolved in 3 mL of dichloromethane. 2-Thiophenecarbonyl chloride (0.013 mL, 0.120 mmol) was added and the solution was stirred at RT overnight. The solution was concentrated and the product was purified by reversed-phase ΗPLC using 20-80% CΗ₃CΝ/Η2O and then lyophilized to afford the desired title compound as the corresponding TFA salt. Yield: 35 mg (67%); ^JH NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-D₄) δ 1.22 (m, 5 H), 1.61 (m, 1 H), 1.63 (m, J=1.17 Hz, 1 H), 1.65 (s, 9 H), 1.68 (m, 1 H), 1.75 (m, 2 H), 2.10 (m, 1 H), 3.48 (s, 3 H), 4.46 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 6.79 (dd, J-4.98, 3.81 Hz, 1 H), 6.85 (dd, J=3.91, 1.17 Hz, 1 H), 7.45 (dd, J=5.08, 1.17 Hz, 1 H), 7.53 (dd, J=8.88, 2.05 Hz, 1 H), 7.68 (d, J .95 Hz, 1 H), 7.95 (d, J=8.79 Hz, 1 H); MS (ESI) (M+H)⁺: 410.2. Step B. Methyl (4-fluoro-3-nitrophenyI)carbamate

Methyl chloroformate (13.2 mL, 170.2 mmol) was added dropwise to a cold (0°C) dichloromethane (200 mL) solution of 4-fluoro-3 -nitro aniline (24.15 g, 154.7 mmol) and DIPEA (35 mL, 201 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt overnight. The solution was then diluted with 200 mL of dichloromethane and washed with 2M HC1, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO₄. The solvent was concentrated and the product directly used in the next step without further purification. Yield: 35.5 g (99%); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-D) δ 3.81 (s, 3 H), 7.02 (s, 1 H), 7.23 (m, 1 H), 7.72 (d, J=8.59 Hz, 1 H), 8.17 (dd, J=6.35, 2.64 Hz, 1 H). Step C. Methyl {4-[(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]-3-nitrophenyl}carbamate

Methyl (4-fluoro-3-nitrophenyl)carbamate (1.00 g, 4.67 mmol) and cyclohexylmethyl amine (0.730 mL, 5.60 mmol) were stirred in EtOH (20 mL) containing TEA (1.0 mL, 7.00 mmol) at 75°C for 24h. The solvent was concentrated. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with 5% KHSO aqueous solution, saturated NaHCO₃ aqueous solution, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO₄. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography using 4:l/hexanes:EtOAc on silica gel. Yield: 1.05 g (73%); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-D) δ 1.04 (m, 2H), 1.25 (m, 3H), 1.69 (m, 2H), 1.77 (m, 2H), 1.83 (m, 1H), 1.86 (m, 1H), 3.14 (m, 2H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 6.46 (m, 1H), 6.84 (d, J = 9.37, 1H), 7.63 (m, 1H), 8.05 (d, J = 2.54Hz, 1H), 8.09 (m, 1H). Step D. Methyl {3-amino-4-[(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]phenyl}carbamate

-

Methyl {4-[(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]-3-nitrophenyl}carbamate (1.05 g, 3.42 mmol) was dissolved in 30 mL of EtOAc containing a catalytic amount of 10% Pd/C. The solution was shaken in a Parr hydrogenation apparatus under H atmosphere (40 psi) at RT overnight. The solution was filtered through Celite and the solvent was evaporated. The product was directly used in the next step without further purification. Yield: 950 mg (99%). MS (ESI) (M+H)⁺:

277.9.

Step E. Methyl [2-tert-butyI-l-(cyclohexylmethyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]carbamate

Methyl {3-amino-4-[(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]phenyl}carbamate (950 mg, 3.43 mmol) and

DMAP (100 mg, 0.858 mmol) were dissolved in 25 mL of dichloromethane. Trimethylacetyl chloride (0.460 mL, 3.77 mmol) was added dropwise and the solution stirred at RT for lh.

The solvent was concentrated. The residue was divided in two and each of them dissolved in 3 mL of glacial AcOH in a sealed tube. The solutions were heated at 150°C using a Personal Chemistry Smith Synthesizer microwave instrument for three intervals of 30min (3 X 30min). The two tubes were combined and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with saturated NaHCO₃ aqueous solution, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO . The crude product was purified by flash chromatography using 3 : l/dichloromethane:diethyl ether on silica gel. Yield: 656 mg (56%); ^!H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-D) δ 1.09 (m, 2H), 1.16 (m, 4H), 1.54 (s, 9H), 1.65 (m, , 1H), 1.62 (m, 1H), 1.70 (m, J = 1.56Hz, 2H), 1.73 (dd, J = 5.96, 3.22Hz, 2H), 2.02 (m, 1H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 4.10 (d, J = 7.42Hz, 2H), 6.64 (m, 1H), 7.25 (d, J = 8.79Hz, 1H), 7.39 (m, 1H), 7.59 (d, J = 1.76Hz, 1H). Step F. 2-tert-ButyI-l-(cyclohexylraethyl)-N-methyI-lH-benzimidazoI-5-aniine

Methyl [2-te7-t-butyl-l-(cyclohexylmethyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]carbamate (650 mg, 1.89 mmol) was dissolved in 20 mL of TΗF at 0°C under nitrogen. IM ΗCl/ether (2.65 mL, 2.65 mmol) was added dropwise and the solution stirred at 0°C for 15min. LiAlFL (360 mg, 9.45 mmol) was then slowly added and the solution stirred at RT overnight. The reaction mixture was quenched at 0°C by addition of MeOΗ (5 mL) followed by water (10 mL). The solution was diluted with EtOAc and washed with saturated ΝaΗC0₃ aqueous solution, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO . The solvent was evaporated and the product was used directly in the next step without further purification. Yield: 544 mg (96%). Η NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-D) δ 1.08 (m, 2 H), 1.17 (m, 3 H), 1.53 (s, 9 H), 1.64 (s, 2 H), 1.67 (s, 2 H), 1.72 (m, 2 H), 2.02 (m, 1 H), 2.86 (s, 3 H), 4.06 (d, J=7.42 Hz, 2 H), 6.60 (dd, J=8.69, 2.25 Hz, 1 H), 6.99 (d, J=2.15 Hz, 1 H), 7.12 (d, J=8.59 Hz, 1 H). Example 2

N-[2-tert-ButyI-l-(cyclohexylmethyl)-lH-benzimidazoI-5-yl]-N,2,2- trimethylpropanamide

Following the same procedure used in Example 1, Step A, using 2-tert-butyl-l- (cyclohexylmethyl)-N-methyl-lH-benzimidazol-5-amine (40 mg, 0.134 mmol) and trimethylacetyl chloride (0.021 mL, 0.174 mmol) in 3mL of dichloromethane. The product was purified by reversed-phase HPLC using 20-80% CH₃CΝ/H₂O on a C-18 column and then lyophilized to afford the desired title compound as the corresponding TFA salt. Yield: 60 mg (90%); 1H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-D₄) δ 1.07 (s, 9 H), 1.23 (m, 5 H), 1.63 (m, 2 H), 1.66 (s, 10 H), 1.76 (m, 2 H), 2.11 (m, 1 H), 3.28 (s, 3 H), 4.47 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 7.51 (dd, J=8.79, 1.95 Hz, 1 H), 7.65 (d, J=1.37 Hz, 1 H), 7.96 (d, J=8.98 Hz, 1 H); MS (ESI) (M+H)⁺: 384.3; Anal. Calcd for C₂₄H₃₇N₃O + 1.7 TFA + 0.6 H₂O: C, 55.95; H, 6.84; N, 7.14. Found: C, 55.92; H, 6.81; N, 7.07. Example 3 N-[2-tert-Butyl-l-(cyclohexylmethyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]-N,2-dimethyIpropanamide

Following the same procedure used in Example 1, Step A, using 2-tert-butyl-l- (cyclohexylmethyl)-N-methyl-lH-benzimidazol-5-amine (40 mg, 0.134 mmol) and isobutyryl chloride (0.018 mL, 0.174 mmol) in 3mL of dichloromethane. The product was purified by reversed-phase ΗPLC using 20-80% CΗ₃CΝ/Η₂O on a C-18 column and then lyophilized to afford the desired title compound as the corresponding TFA salt. Yield: 58 mg (90%); ^!H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-D₄) δ 0.99 (s, 6 H), 1.24 (m, 5 H), 1.65 (m, 2 H), 1.66 (s, 10 H), 1.76 (s, 2 H), 2.11 (m, 1 H), 2.46 (m, 1 H), 3.27 (s, 3 H), 4.47 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 7.52 (d, J=8.59 Hz, 1 H), 7.67 (s, 1 H), 7.99 (d, J=8.79 Hz, 1 H); MS (ESI) (M+H)⁺: 370.2; Anal. Calcd for C₂₃H₃₅N₃O + 1.7 TFA + 0.3 H₂O: C, 55.75; H, 6.61; N, 7.39. Found: C, 55.77; H, 6.52; N, 7.45. Example 4 N-[2-tert-Butyl-l-(cycIohexyImethyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]-N,3-dimethylbutanamide

Following the same procedure used in Example 1, Step A, using 2-tert-butyl-l-

(cyclohexylmethyl)-N-methyl-lH-benzimidazol-5-amine (30 mg, 0.100 mmol) and isovaleryl chloride (0.016 mL, 0.130 mmol) in 3mL of dichloromethane. The product was purified by reversed-phase HPLC using 20-80% CH₃CΝ/H₂O on a C-18 column and then lyophilized to afford the desired title compound as the corresponding TFA salt. Yield: 40 mg (80%); ^]H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-D₄) δ 0.79 (brs, 6H), 1.22 (brs, 6H), 1.63 (s, 13H), 1.75 (brs, 1H), 1.97 (m, 1H), 2.03 (m, 1H), 2.10 (m, 1H), 3.27 (s, 3H), 4.41 (d, J = 7.42Hz, 2H), 7.40 (dd, J = 1.66, 8.88Hz, 1H), 7.58 (s, 1H), 7.88 (d, J = 8.79Hz, 1H); MS (ESI) (M+H)⁺: 384.3; Anal. Calcd for C₂₄H₃₇N₃O + 1.0 TFA + 0.3 H₂O: C, 62.08; H, 7.73; N, 8.35. Found: C, 62.18; H, 7.57; N, 8.36. Example 5 N-[2-tert-Butyl-l-(eycIohexylmethyI)-lH-benzimidazoI-5-yI]-Λ^?'-isopropyl-N-methylurea

Following the same procedure used in Example 1, Step A, using 2-tert-butyl-l- (cyclohexylmethyl)-N-methyl-lH-benzimidazol-5-amine (40 mg, 0.134 mmol) and isopropyl isocyanate (0.015 mL, 0.161 mmol) in 5mL of dichloromethane. The product was purified by reversed-phase ΗPLC using 20-80% CΗ₃CΝ/Η₂O on a C-18 column and then lyophilized to afford the desired title compound as the corresponding TFA salt. Yield: 54 mg (81%); 1H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-D₄) δ 1.10 (d, J=6.44 Hz, 6 H), 1.22 (m, 5 H), 1.63 (m, 2 H), 1.66 (s, 9 H), 1.67 (m, 1 H), 1.75 (m, 2 H), 2.11 (m, 1 H), 3.28 (s, 3 H), 3.90 (q, J=6.59 Hz, 1 H), 4.45 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 7.47 (dd, J=8.98, 1.95 Hz, 1 H), 7.60 (d, J=1.56 Hz, 1 H), 7.89 (d, J=8.98 Hz, 1 H); MS (ESI) (M+H)⁺: 385.2; Anal. Calcd for C₂₃H₃₆N₄O + 1.5 TFA + 0.4 H₂O: C, 55.49; H, 6.86; N, 9.95. Found: C, 55.42; H, 6.83; N, 9.98. Example 6

N-[l-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(l,l-dimethylpropyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]acetamide

Step A. N-[l-(CyclohexylmethyI)-2-(l,l-dimethylpropyI)-lH-benzimidazol-5- yljacetamide

DMAP (0.65 g, 5.3 mmol) was added to a suspension of N-{3-amino-4- [(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]phenyl}acetamide (2.09 g, 8.0 mmol) (for preparation, see the following steps B, C and D) in dichloromethane (40 mL) at -10 °C, followed by addition of 2,2-dimethylbutyryl chloride (1.51 g, 11.2 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. After evaporation of the solvent, 4.14 g of a brown solid was obtained, which was consistent with the desired coupling product. MS (ESI) (M+H)⁺ = 360.07.

308 mg of the above crude product was dissolved in 1 ,2-dichloroethane (5 mL) in a Teflon- capped test tube. The vessel was irradiated by microwave for 3h at 170 °C. The mixture was diluted with EtOAc (100 mL), washed with 2Ν NaOH aqueous solution (10 mL), saturated NaCl aqueous solution (10 mL) and dried over Na₂SO . After filtration and evaporation, the residue was purified by MPLC (EtOAc as eluent on silica gel) to give the desired title compound as a light yellow solid (111.0 mg, 55%). ^!HNMR (400 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 0.84 (t, J=7.52 Hz, 3 H), 1.25 (m, 5 H), 1.63 (m, 2 H), 1.66 (s, 6 H), 1.70 (m, 1 H), 1.77 (m, 2 H), 2.01 (q, J=7.42 Hz, 2 H), 2.10 (m, 1 H), 2.18 (s, 3 H), 4.44 (d, J=7.81 Hz, 2 H), 7.50 (dd, J=8.98, 1.95 Hz, 1 H), 7.84 (d, J=9.18 Hz, 1 H), 8.44 (d, J=1.76 Hz, 1 H). MS (ESI) (M+H)⁺: 342.05. Anal. Calcd for C₂₁H₃ιN₃O+1.10 TFA+0.40 H₂O (474.13): C, 58.77; H, 6.99; N, 8.66. Found: C, 58.86; H, 6.90; N, 8.91. Step B. N-(4-fluoro-3-nitrophenyl)acetamide

4-Fluoro-3-nitro-aniline (45.0 g, 288.2 mmol) was added portionwise to acetic anhydride (150 mL) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 h. The white solid was collected and dried in vacuo to give the desired title compound (42.0 g, 70%). ¹HΝMR (400 MHz, CDC1₃): δ 2.23 (s, 3 H), 7.26 (m, 1 H), 7.50 (s broad, 1 H), 7.87 (m, 1 H), 8.23 (dd, J=6.44, 2.73 Hz, 1 H). Step C. N-{4-[(cycIohexylmethyI)amino]-3-nitrophenyI}acetamide

Cyclohexylmethylamine (2.86 mL, 2.49 g, 22.0 mmol ) was added to a mixture of N-(4- fluoro-3-nitrophenyl)acetamide (3.96 g, 20.0 mmol) and sodium carbonate (4.66 g, 44 mmol) in EtOH (50 mL) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was heated for 48 h at 60 °C, and diluted with H₂O (800 mL). The orange solid was precipitated out and collected to give the desired title product (6.60 g, 100%). MS (ESI) (M+H)⁺: 292.32. Step D. N-{3-amino-4-[(cyclohexylmethyl)amino] phenyl} acetamide

The above crude product (N-{4-[(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]-3-nitrophenyl}acetamide) was hydrogenated in ethyl acetate (300 mL) catalyzed by 10% Pd/C (0.5 g) at 20-30 psi H₂ in Pan- shaker for 4.5 h at room temperature. After filtration through celite and concentration, 5.08 g (97%) of a purple solid was obtained, which was used in the next step without further purification. 1H MR (400 MHz, CDC1₃): δ 1.00 (m, 2 H), 1.24 (m, 3 H), 1.59 (m, 2 H), 1.72 (m, 2 H), 1.84 (m, 2 H), 2.13 (s, 3 H), 2.91 (d, J=6.64 Hz, 2 H), 3.37 (s broad, 3 H), 6.56 (d, J=8.40 Hz, 1 H), 6.69 (dd, J=8.30, 2.25 Hz, 1 H), 6.98 (s, 1 H), 7.12 (d, J=2.34 Hz, 1 H). MS (ESI) (M+H)⁺: 262.31. Example 7

N-[l-(CyclohexylmethyI)-2-(l,l-dimethylpropyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]-iV- isopropylurea

Step A. N-[l-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(l,l-dimethylpropyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]-N'- isopropylurea

A mixture of l-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(l,l-dimethylpropyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-amine hydrochloride (48.5 mg, 0.127 mmol), diisopropylethylamine (148 mg, 200 uL, 1.15 mmol) and isopropylisocynate (0.5 mL) in 1,2-dichloroethane (5mL) was heated for 2h at 60 °C. Upon evaporation of the solvent, the residue was treated with 2N NaOΗ aqueous solution (5 mL), extracted with EtOAc (3x20 mL). The combined organic phases were washed with saturated NaCl aqueous solution (10 mL) and dried over Na₂SO₄. After filtration and evaporation, the residue was purified by MPLC (EtOAc as eluent on silica gel) to give the desired title compound as a syrup (34.8 mg, 71%). Η NMR (400 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 0.84 (t, J=7.52 Hz, 3 H), 1.20 (d, J=6.44 Hz, 6 H), 1.25 (m, 5 H), 1.63 (m, 2 H), 1.66 (s, 6 H), 1.70 (m, 1 H), 1.78 (m, 2 H), 2.00 (q, J=7.42 Hz, 2 H), 2.10 (m, 1 H), 3.91 (m, 1 H), 4.42 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 7.28 (m, 1 H), 7.76 (d, J=9.18 Hz, 1 H), 8.18 (d, J=1.56 Hz, 1 H). MS (ESI) (M+H)⁺: 385.2. Anal. Calcd for C₂₃H₃₆N₄O+1.20 TFA +0.80 H O (535.81): C, 56.94; H, 7.30; N, 10.46. Found: C, 56.90; H,7.27; N, 10.27. Step B. l-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(l,l-dimethylpropyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-amine

N-[l -(Cyclohexylmethyl)-2-( 1 , 1 -dimethylpropyl)- 1 H-benzimidazol-5-yl]acetamide ( 105.4 mg, 0.309 mmol) was dssolved in ethanol (3 mL) and 2NΗC1 aqueous solution (2 mL) in a

Teflon-capped test tube. The vessel was irradiated by microwave for 45 min. at 120 °C. After evaporation and drying in vacuo, 117.8 mg (100%) of the title compound was obtained as a grey white solid. ^]H MR (400 MHz, CD₃CD): δ 0.87 (t, J=7.52 Hz, 3 H), 1.27 (m, 5 H),

1.66 (m, 3 H), 1.71 (s, 6 H), 1.78 (m, 2 H), 2.05 (q, J=7.42 Hz, 2 H), 2.13 (m, 1 H), 4.53 (d, J=7.62 HZ, 2 H), 7.66 (dd, J=8.79, 1.56 Hz, 1 H), 7.97 (d, J=1.76 Hz, 1 H), 8.17 (d, J=8.79 Hz, 1 H). MS (ESI) (M+H)⁺: 300.05. Example 8

N-[l-(CycIohexylmethyl)-2-(l,l-dimethyIpropyI)-lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]-2,2- dimethylbutanamide

2,2-Dimethylbutyryl chloride (24.6 mg, 0.18 mmol) was added to a mixture of 1- (cyclohexylmethyl)-2-( 1 , 1 -dimethylpropyl)- lH-benzimidazol-5-amine hydrochloride (65.0 mg, 0.15 mmol) (for preparation see in Example 7, step B) and DMAP (73.3 mg, 0.60 mmol) in acetonitrile (5 mL) at 0 °C. The mixture was stirred for 6 h at room temperature, diluted with EtOAc (50 mL), washed with saturated ΝaΗCO₃ aqueous solution (10 mL), saturated NaCl aqueous solution (10 mL) and dried over Na₂SO₄. After filtration and evaporation, the residue was purified by MPLC (EtOAc as eluent on silica gel) to give the desired title compound as a syrup (51.6 mg, 87%). 1HNMR (400 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 0.84 (t, J=7.52 Hz, 3 H), 0.91 (t, J=7.52 Hz, 3 H), 1.25 (m, 5 H), 1.28 (s, 6 H), 1.64 (m, 3 H), 1.67 (s, 6 H), 1.72 (q, J=7.49 Hz, 2 H), 1.78 (m, 2 H), 2.02 (q, J=7.49 Hz, 2 H), 2.13 (m, 1 H), 4.45 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 7.64 (dd, J=8.98, 1.76 Hz, 1 H), 7.85 (d, J=9.18 Hz, 1 H), 8.34 (s, 1 H). MS (ESI) (M+H)⁺: 398.3. Anal. Calcd for C₂₅H₃₉N₃O+1.50 TFA+0.70 H₂O (581.25): C, 57.86; H, 7.27; N, 7.23. Found: C, 57.90; H, 7.19; N, 7.34. Example 9

N-[2-tert-Butyl-l-(cyclohexylmethyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]acetamide

Following the same procedure of Example 6, a mixture of N-{3-amino-4- [(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]phenyl}acetamide (1.57 g, 6.0 mmol) (for preparation see in Example 6, step D) and DMAP (0.15 g, 1.2 mmol) in dichloromethane (70 mL) was treated with trimethylacetyl choride (0.83 g, 6.6 mmol) at -10 °C. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue was dissolved in 1 ,2-dichloroethane (40 mL) and then divided into eight Teflon- capped test tubes. The vessels were irradiated by microvwave for 2h at 170 °C. After purification by MPLC (EtOAc as eluent on silica gel), the desired title compound was obtained as a white solid (1.42 g, 72%). ¹HNMR (400 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 1.24 (m, 5 H), 1.64 (m, 2 H), 1.67 (s, 9 H), 1.70 (m, 1 H), 1.77 (m, 2 H), 2.12 (m, 1 H), 2.18 (s, 3 H), 4.45 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 7.50 (m, 1 H), 7.84 (d, J=8.98 Hz, 1 H), 8.43 (d, J=1.95 Hz, 1 H). MS (ESI) (M+H)⁺: 328.3. Anal. Calcd for C₂₀H₂₉N₃O+1.20 TFA +0.30 H₂O (469.71): C, 57.28; H, 6.61; N, 8.95. Found: C, 57.34; H, 6.67; N, 8.85. Example 10 N-[2-tert-Butyl-l-(cyclohexylmethyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-yI]-N-methylacetamide

Sodium hydride (201.5mg, 5.04 mmol) was added to a solution of N-[2-tert-butyl-l- (cyclohexylmethyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]acetamide (549.8 mg, 1.68 mmol) (for preparation see in Example 9) in TΗF (50 mL) at 0 °C. Stirring for 30 min., iodomethane was added. The resulting mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature and quenched with saturated ΝaΗCO₃ aqueous solution (5 mL) and water (10 mL). Two phases were separated. The aqueous was extracted with EtOAc (3x20 mL). The combined organic phases were washed with saturated NaHCO₃ aqueous solution (20 mL), saturated NaCl aqueous solution (20 mL) and dried over Na₂SO . After evaporation of the solvent, the residue was purified by MPLC (EtOAc as eluent on silica gel) to give the desired title compound as a white solid (580.5 mg, 100%). ^!HNMR (400 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 1.26 (m, 5 H), 1.67 (m, 2 H), 1.69 (s, 9 H), 1.71 (m, 1 H), 1.78 (m, 2 H), 1.87 (s, 3 H), 2.14 (m, 1 H), 3.30 (s, 3 H), 4.49 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 7.55 (d, J=8.40 Hz, 1 H), 7.71 (s, 1 H), 8.00 (d, J=8.40 Hz, 1 H). MS (ESI) (M+H)⁺: 342.3. Anal. Calcd for C₂ιH₃ιN₃O+1.30 TFA+0.80 H₂O (504.14): C, 56.23; H, 6.78; N, 8.33. Found: C, 56.21; H, 6.77; N, 8.17. Example 11 N-[2-tert-ButyI-l-(cycIohexylmethyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]-2,2-dimethyIpropanamide

Step A: N-[2-tert-Butyl-l-(cyclohexyImethyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-yI]-2,2- dimethylpropanamide

N-{3-Amino-4-[(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]phenyl}-2,2-dimethylpropanamide (for preparation, see following Steps B to D) (174 mg, 0.573 mmol) and DMAP (18 mg, 0.143 mmol) were dissolved in 5 mL of DCM. Trimethylacetyl chloride (0.077 mL, 0.630 mmol) was added dropwise and the solution was stirred at RT for lh. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in 3 mL of glacial acetic acid in a sealed tube and the solution was heated at 150°C in a Smithsynthesizer (Personal Chemistry) microwave instrument for lh. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with saturated NaHCO₃ solution, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO . The product was purified by reversed-phase HPLC using 20-80% CH₃CN/H₂O on a C-18 column and then lyophilized affording the desired title compound as the corresponding TFA salt. Yield: 170 mg (61%). 1HNMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-D₄): δ 1.21 (m, 5 H), 1.29 (s, 9 H), 1.61 (m, 2 H), 1.64 (s, 9 H), 1.66 (m, 1 H), 1.75 (m, 2 H), 2.09 (m, 1 H), 4.42 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 7.62 (dd, J=9.18, 1.95 Hz, 1 H), 7.81 (d, J=9.18 Hz, 1 H), 8.31 (d, J=1.56 Hz, 1 H); MS (ESI) (M+H)⁺ 370.2; Anal. Calcd for C₂₃H₃₅N₃O + 1.6 TFA + 0.2 H₂O: C, 56.64; H, 6.71; N, 7.56. Found: C, 56.67; H, 6.74; N, 7.53. Step B: N-(4-Fluoro-3-nitrophenyl)-2,2-dimethylpropanamide

4-Fluoro-3-nitroaniline (500 mg, 3.20 mmol) and DMAP (586 mg, 4.80 mmol) were dissolved in 25 mL of DCM. Trimethylacetyl chloride (0.587 mL, 4.80 mmol) was added dropwise and the solution was stirred at rt for 3h. The solution was washed with 5% KHSO₄ solution, saturated NaHCO₃ solution, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO . The crude product was purified by flash chromatography using 35% EtOAc in hexanes as eluent on silica gel to produce the desired title compound. Yield: 713 mg (93%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-D:) δ 1.34 (s, 9 H), 7.25 (dd, J=10.25, 9.08 Hz, 1 H), 7.50 (br.s, 1 H), 7.88 (ddd, J=9.08, 3.71, 2.83 Hz, 1 H), 8.26 (dd, J=6.44, 2.73 Hz, 1 H). Step C: N-{4-[(CycIohexylmethyl)amino]-3-nitrophenyl}-2,2-dimethylpropanamide

N-(4-Fluoro-3-nitrophenyl)-2,2-dimethylpropanamide (158 mg, 0.658 mmol) and cyclohexylmethylamine (0.100 mL, 0.790 mmol) were stirred in 3 mL of EtOH containing triethylamine (0.140 mL, 0.987 mmol) at 75°C for 24h. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with 5% KHSO₄ solution, saturated NaHCO₃ solution, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO₄. Yield: 217 mg (99%). Η NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-D): δ 0.98-1.09 (m, 2 Ff), 1.17-1.28 (m, 3 H), 1.31 (s, 9 H), 1.65-1.73 (m, 2 H), 1.74-1.80 (m, 2 H), 1.82-1.84 (m, 1 H), 1.85-1.88 (m, 1 H), 3.15 (dd, J=6.64, 5.47 Hz, 2 H), 6.83 (d, J=9.37 Hz, 1 H), 7.23 (br.s, 1 H), 7.82 (dd, J=9.18, 2.54 Hz, 1 H), 8.10 (d, J-2.54 Hz, 1 H), 8.11-8.13 (m, 1 H). Step D: N-{3-Amino-4-[(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]phenyl}-2,2-dimethylpropanamide

N-{4-[(Cyclohexylmethyl)amino]-3-nitrophenyl}-2,2-dimethylpropanamide (215 mg, 0.645 mmol) was dissolved in 20 mL of EtOAc containing a catalytic amount of 10% Pd/C. The solution was shaken in a Parr hydrogenation apparatus under H₂ atmosphere (45 psi) at RT for 24h. The solution was filtered through Celite and the solvent evaporated to give the desired product. Yield: 175 mg (89%); MS (ESI) (M+H)⁺ 304.04.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A compound of foπnula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

wherein

Z is selected from O= and S=;

R¹ is selected from C_Moalkyl, C_2-ι₀alkenyl, C_2-ι₀alkynyl, R⁵R°N-C_1-6alkyl, R⁵O-C].₆ alkyl, R⁵C(=O)N(-R⁶)-C_1-6alkyl, R⁵R⁶NS(=O)₂-Cι_-6alkyl, R⁵CS(=O)₂N(-R⁶)-Cι_-6alkyl, R⁵R°NC(=O)N(-R⁷)-Cι_₆alkyl, R⁵R⁶NS(=O)₂N(R⁷)-C,_-6alkyl, C_6-ι₀aryl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_6-10aryl- C(=O)-C].₆alkyl, C₃-ιocycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl-C]_-6alkyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl-Cι- ₆alkyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl-C(=O)-C_1-6alkyl, C_MOhydrocarbylamino, R⁵R°N-, R⁵O-, R⁵C(=O)N(- R⁶)-, R⁵R⁶NS(=O)₂-, R⁵CS(=O)₂N(-R⁶)-, R⁵R°NC(=O)N(-R⁷)-, R⁵R⁶NS(=O)₂N(R⁷)-, C₆. _loaryl, C_6-ιoaryl-C(=O)-, C_3-ιocycloalkyl, C _-8cycloalkenyl, C₃-₆heterocyclyl and C_{3- 6}heterocyclyl-C(=O)-; wherein said Ci-ioalkyl, C_2-ιoalkenyl, C_2-ιoalkynyl, C_6-ιoaryl-Cι_-6alkyl, C₆-ιoaryl-C(=O)-C_1-6alkyl, C₃.ιocycloalkyl-Cι.₆alkyl, C _-8cycloalkenyl-Cι_-6alkyl, Cs-_όheterocyclyl-Ci-ealkyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl-C(=O)-Cι.₆alkyl, Ci-iohydrocarbylamino, C_δ-ioaryl, C_6-ιoaryl-C(=O)-, C_3-ιocycloalkyl, C₄.gcycloalkenyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl or C₃-₆heterocyclyl-C(=O)- used in defining R¹ is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and -NR⁵R⁶; R² is selected from the group consisting of C_Moalkyl, C_2-ιoalkenyl, C_2-ιoalkynyl, C_{3- 10}cycloalkyl, C_3-ι₀cycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_3-6heterocycloalkyl-Cι.. ₆alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl, R⁵R°N-, C_3-5heteroaryl, C_6-ιoaryl and C_3-6heterocycloalkyl, wherein said Cμioalkyl, C_2-ιoalkenyl, C_2-ιoalkynyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_3-6heterocycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl, C_3-5heteroaryl, C_6-ιoaryl or C_3-6heterocycloalkyl used in defining R² is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and - NR⁵R⁶; wherein R , R and R are independently selected from -H, Cι_₆alkyl, C_2-6alkenyl, C_{2- 6}alkynyl, and a divalent Cι_-6group that together with another divalent R⁵, R⁶ or R⁷ forms a portion of a ring; and

R³ is selected from R⁸, R⁸O-, and R'R'N-; each of R⁴, R⁸ and R⁹ is independently selected from -H, Ci-ioalkyl, C_2-ιoalkenyl, C_{2- l}oalkynyl, C_3-ιocycloalkyl, C_3-ιocycloalkyl-Cι_₆alkyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl, C₆-ιo ryl, C_3-6heterocylcyl-Cι.₆alkyl, C_6-ιoaryl-Cι_-6alkyl, and a divalent C_1-6group that together with another divalent group selected from R⁴, R⁸ and R⁹ forms a portion of a ring, wherein said Ci-ioalkyl, C_2-ιoalkenyl, C_2-ιoalkynyl, C₃_ιocycloalkyl, C_3-ιocycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C₃_ όheterocyclyl, C_6-ιoaryl, C_3-6heterocylcyl-Cι_₆alkyl, C₆.ιoaryl-Cι_-6alkyl, or divalent Cι_-6group is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and amino.

2. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein Z is O=;

R¹ is selected from Cι_-6alkyl, C_2-6alkenyl, C_2-6alkynyl, R^^-C^alkyl, R⁵O-Cι_ ₄alkyl, R⁵C(=O)N(-R⁶)-Cι_-4alkyl, phenyl-Cι_-4alkyl, phenyl-C(=O)-Cι_-4alkyl, C₃.ι₀cycloalkyl-

C₃-₆heterocyclyl-C(=O)- Cι_-4alkyl, R⁵R°N-, R⁵O-, R⁵R⁶NS(=O)₂-, C_6-]0aryl, C_6-ι₀aryl-C(=O)-, C_3-Oιcycloalkyl, C_{4- 6}cycloalkenyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl and C_3-6heterocyclyl-C(=O)-; wherein said Cι_-6alkyl, C_{2- 6}alkenyl, C_2-6alkynyl, phenyl-Cι_-4alkyl, phenyl-C(=O)-Cι_-4alkyl, C₃-ιocycloalkyl-Cι- alkyl, C _-6cycloalkenyl-Cι_-4alkyl,

C₆. _loaryl, C_6-ιoaryl-C(=O)-, C₃_ιocycloalkyl, C _-6cycloalkenyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl or C_{3- 6}heterocyclyl-C(=O)~ used in defining R¹ is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and -NR⁵R⁶; wherein R⁵ and R⁶ are independently selected from -H, C]_-6alkyl and C_2-6alkenyl; R² is selected from the group consisting of Cι_₆alkyl, C_2-6alkenyl, C_3-6cycloalkyl, C_{3- 6}cycloalkyl-Cι_-4alkyl, C_4-6cycloalkenyl-Cι- alkyl, C_3-6heterocycloalkyl-Cι-₄alkyl, C_{4- 6}cycloalkenyl, C_3-5heteroaryl, R⁵R°N-, phenyl and C_3-6heterocycloalkyl, wherein said Cι_ ₆alkyl, C_2-6alkenyl, C_3-6cycloalkyl, C₃-₆Cycloalkyl-Cι-₄alkyl, C_4-6cycloalkenyl-Cι- alkyl, C_3-6heterocycloalkyl-Cι- alkyl, C_4-6cycloalkenyl, C_3-5heteroaryl, phenyl or C₃. ₆heterocycloalkyl used in defining R is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and amino; and R³ is selected from R⁸, R⁸O-, R⁸HN- and R⁸R⁹N-;

R⁸ and R⁹ are independently selected from Cι-₆alkyl, C_2-6alkenyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl, C₃„ ₈cycloalkyl-Cι_-4alkyl, C₃-₆heterocyclyl, phenyl,

and phenyl-Cμ ₄alkyl, wherein said Cι_-6alkyl, C_2-6alkenyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl, C₃.₈cycloalkyl-Cι_-4alkyl, C_3- eheterocyclyl, phenyl, Cs-eheterocylcyl-Ci^alkyl, or phenyl-Ci^alkyl is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and amino; and

R⁴ is selected from -H, Cι_-6alkyl and C_2-6alkenyl.

3. A compound as claimed claim 1, wherein Z is O=;

R¹ is selected from Cι_-6alkyl, C_2-6alkenyl, R?R⁶N-Cι-4alkyl, R⁵O-Cι-4alkyl, R⁵C(=O)N(-R⁶)-Cι_-4alkyl, phenyl-Cι_-4alkyl, phenyl-C(=O)-Cι_-4alkyl, C_3-6cycloalkyl-Cι_-4alkyl, C _-6cycloalkenyl-Cι- alkyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl-Cι.₄alkyl, C3_-6heterocyclyl-C(=O)-Cι_-4alkyl, phenyl, C_3-6cycloalkyl, C₃.₆heterocyclyl and C_3-6heterocyclyl-C(=O)-; wherein said Cι_-6alkyl, C_2-6alkenyl, R⁵R°N-Cι_-4alkyl, R⁵O-Cι^alkyl, R⁵C(=O)N(-R⁶)-Cι_₄alkyl, phenyl-C_]-4alkyl, phenyl-C(=O)-Cι_-4alkyl, C_3-6cycloalkyl-Cι_-4alkyl, C_4-6cycloalkenyl-Cι_-4alkyl, C_{3- 6}heterocyclyl-Cι_-4alkyl, C₃.₆heterocyclyl-C(=O)-Cι- alkyl, phenyl, C_3-6cycloalkyl, C_{3- 6}heterocyclyl or C_3-6heterocyclyl-C(=O)- used in defining R¹ is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and -NR⁵R⁶;

R² is selected from the group consisting of Cι_-6alkyl, C_3-6cycloalkyl, R⁵R°N-, C_3-6cycloalkyl-Cι_₄alkyl, C₃.₆heterocycloalkyl-Cι- alkyl, C_3-6heterocycloalkyl, C_3-5heteroaryl, and phenyl wherein said Cι.₆alkyl, C₃.₆cycloalkyl, C₃.₆cycloalkyl-Cι_-4alkyl, C_3-6heterocycloalkyl-Cι- alkyl, C_3-6heterocycloalkyl, C_3-5heteroaryl, and phenyl used in defining R² is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and -NR⁵R⁶;

R and R are independently selected from -H, Cι_₆alkyl and C_2-6alkenyl; and R³ is selected from R⁸, R⁸O-, R⁸HN- and R⁸R⁹N-; R⁸ and R are independently selected from Cι_₆alkyl, C_2-6alkenyl, C_3-6cycloalkyl, C_3-

₆cycloalkyl-Cι_-4alkyl, C_3-5heterocyclyl, phenyl, C_3-5heterocylcyl-C]_-4alkyl, and phenyl-Cj. alkyl, wherein said Cι_-6alkyl, C_2-6alkenyl, C₃_₆cycloalkyl, C₃_₆cycloalkyl-Cι_-4alkyl, C₃. ₅heterocyclyl, phenyl,

is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, methoxy, methyl, and ethyl; and R⁴ is selected from -H and Cι_-4alkyl.

4. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein Z is O=;

R¹ is selected from cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopropylmethyl, ethyl, propyl, adamantyl, adamantylmethyl, allyl, isopentyl, benzyl, methoxyethyl, tetrahydropyranylmethyl, tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, cyclohexyloxy, cyclohexylamino, dimethylaminoethyl, 4-pyridylmethyl, 2-pyridylmethyl, 1 -pyrrolylethyl, 1- morpholinoethyl, 4,4-difluorocyclohexylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, 2-pyrrolidylmehtyl, N- methyl-2-pyrrolidylmethyl, 2-piperidylmethyl, N-methyl-2-piperidylmethyl, 3-thienylmethyl, (2-nitrothiophene-5-yl)-methyl, (l-methyl-lH-imidazole-2-yl)methyl, (5-(acetoxymethyl)-2- furyl)methyl), (2,3-dihydro-lH-isoindole-l-yl)methyl, and 5-(2-methylthiazolyl); R² is selected from t-butyl, n-butyl, 2-methyl-2-butyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexylmethyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, trifluoromethyl, 1,1-difluoroethyl, N-piperidyl, dimethylamino, phenyl, pyridyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, 2-methoxy-2-propyl and N-mo holinyl; R³ is selected from methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, iso-butyl, phenyl, pyridyl, imidazolyl, naphthalenyl, isopropylamino and 2-thienyl; and R⁴ is selected from -H, methyl and ethyl.

5. A compound selected from:

N-[2-tert-Butyl-l-(cyclohexylmethyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]-N-methylthiophene-2- carboxamide, N-[2-tert-Butyl-l-(cyclohexylmethyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]-N,2,2- trimethylpropanamide,

N-[2-tert-Butyl-l-(cyclohexylmethyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]-N,2- dimethylpropanamide,

N-[2-te7't-Butyl- 1 -(cyclohexylmethyl)- lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]-N,3- dimethylbutanamide,

N-[2-tert-Butyl- 1 -(cyclohexylmethyl)- lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]-N-isopropyl-N- methylurea,

N-[l-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(l,l-dimethylpropyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]acetamide, N-[l -(Cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(l , 1 -dimethylpropyl)- lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]-N- isopropylurea,

N-[l-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(l,l-dimethylpropyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]-2,2- dimethylbutanamide, N-[2-te7-t-Butyl-l-(cyclohexylmethyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]acetamide,

N-[2-tert-Butyl-l-(cyclohexylmethyl)-lH-benzimidazol-5-yl]-N-methylacetamide,

N-[2-tert-Butyl- 1 -(cyclohexylmethyl)- 1 Η-benzimidazol-5-yl]-2,2- dimethylpropanamide, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

6. A compound according to any one of claims 1-5 for use as a medicament.

7. The use of a compound according to any one of claims 1-5 in the manufacture of a medicament for the therapy of pain.

8. The use of a compound according to any one of claims 1 -5 in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of anxiety disorders.

9. The use of a compound according to any one of claims 1-5 in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, Alzheimer's disease, gastrointestinal disorders and cardiavascular disorders.

10. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to any one of claims 1-5 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

11. A method for the therapy of pain in a warm-blooded animal, comprising the step of administering to said animal in need of such therapy a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to any one of claims 1-5.

12. A method for preparing a compound of formula II,

II comprising the step of reacting a compound of formula III,

21 with a compound of R C(=O)X to form the compound of formula II, wherein

X is selected from -Cl, -Br, -I, -OH, -OCH₃ and -OCH₂CH₃;

R¹ is selected from C_MOalkyl, C_2-10alkenyl, C_2-]0alkynyl, R N-Ci-ealkyl, R⁵O-C_1-6 alkyl, R⁵C(=O)N(-R⁶)-Cι_-6alkyl, R^^S^O^-Ci-ealkyl, R⁵CS(=O)₂N(-R⁶)-Cι_-6alkyl, R⁵R⁶NC(=O)N(-R⁷)-Cι_-6alkyl, R⁵R°NS(=O)₂N(R⁷)-Cι_-6alkyl, C_6-ι₀aryl-C_1-6alkyl, C_6-ι₀aryl- C(=O)-Cι_-6alkyl, C_3-ιocycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C₃.₆heterocyclyl-Cι. ₆alkyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl-C(=O)-Cι_-6alkyl, Ci-iohydrocarbylamino, R^'TST-, R⁵O-, R⁵C(=O)N(- R⁶)-, R⁵R⁶NS(=O)₂-, R⁵CS(=O)₂N(-R⁶)-, R⁵R⁶NC(=O)N(-R⁷)-, R⁵R°NS(=O)₂N(R⁷)-, C_6- loaryl, C₆-ιoaryl-C(=O)-, C_3-ιocycloalkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl and C_{3- 6}heterocyclyl-C(=O)-; wherein said Ci-ioalkyl, C_2-ιoalkenyl, C₂_ιoalkynyl, C_6-ιoaryl-Cι-₆alkyl, C₆_ιoaryl-C(=O)-Cι-₆alkyl, C₃-ιocycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C₄.₈cycloalkenyl-Cι.₆alkyl, C₃.6heterocyclyl-Cι-₆alkyl, C₃.₆heterocyclyl-C(=O)-Cι.₆alkyl, Ci-iohydrocarbylamino, C_ό-ioaryl, C₆-ιoaryl-C(=O)-, C₃.ιocycloalkyl, C₄.₈cycloalkenyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl or C_3-6heterocyclyl-C(=O)- used in defining R¹ is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and -NR⁵R⁶; R² is selected from the group consisting of Ci-ioalkyl, C -ιoalkenyl, C_2-ιoalkynyl, C_{3- 8}cycloalkyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl-Cι.₆alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C₃-₆heterocycloalkyl-Cι. ₆alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl, R⁵R°N-, C_3-5heteroaryl, C_6-ιoaryl and C₃.₆heterocycloalkyl, wherein said Ci-ioalkyl, C₂_ιoalkenyl, C_2-ιoalkynyl, C₃-₈cycloalkyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl-Cι.₆alkyl, C_3-6heterocycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl, C_3-5heteroaryl, C_6-ιoaryl or C₃-₆heterocycloalkyl used in defining R² is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and amino; wherein R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ are independently selected from -H, Cι_₆alkyl, C_2-6alkenyl, C₂. ₆alkynyl, and a divalent Cι_₆group that together with another divalent R⁵, R⁶ or R⁷ forms a portion of a ring; R³ is selected from R⁸, R⁸O-, R⁸NH-, R⁸R⁹N-;

R⁸ and R⁹ are independently selected from Cι_-6alkyl, C_2-6alkenyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl, C₃_ ₈cycloalkyl-Cι_₄alkyl, C _-6heterocyclyl, phenyl, C3_-6heterocylcyl-Cι.₄alkyl, and phenyl-Cj. ₄alkyl, wherein said Ci-βalkyl, C _-6alkenyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl-Cι_-4alkyl, C₃. eheterocyclyl, phenyl, Cs-όheterocylcyl-C_Malkyl, or phenyl-Ci^alkyl is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and amino; and

R⁴ is selected from -H, Cι_-6alkyl and C_2-6alkenyl.

13. A method for preparing a compound of formula IV,

IV

comprising the step of reacting a compound of formula V,

V with a reducing agent selected from AIH₃, NaBH , NaBH(O-iPr)₃, and L1AIH4, wherein

R¹ is selected from Ci-ioalkyl, C_2-ι₀alkenyl, C_2-ι₀alkynyl, R⁵R°N-Cι.₆alkyl, R⁵O-Cι_-6 alkyl, R⁵C(=O)N(-R⁶)-Cι_-6alkyl, R⁵R⁶NS(=O)₂-Cι_-6alkyl, R⁵CS(=O)₂N(-R⁶)-Cι_-6alkyl,

R⁵R⁶NC(=O)N(-R⁷)-Cι_₆alkyl, R⁵R°NS(=O)₂N(R⁷)-Cι.ealkyl, C₆.ι₀aryl-Cι.₆alkyl, C_6-ι₀aryl- C(=O)-Cι_-6alkyl, Cs-iocycloalkyl-Ci-ealkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl-C]_-6alkyl, Cs-eheterocyclyl-Ci. ₆alkyl, C₃-₆heteiOcyclyl-C(=O)-Cι_-6alkyl, Ci-iohydrocarbylamino, R⁵R°N-, R⁵O-, R⁵C(=O)N(- R⁶)-, R⁵R⁶NS(=O)₂-, R⁵CS(=O)₂N(-R⁶)-, R⁵R°NC(=O)N(-R⁷)-, R⁵R⁶NS(=O)₂N(R⁷)-, C_6- ιoaryl, C₆-ιoaryl-C(=O)-, C₃.ιocycloalkyl, C₄.₈cycloalkenyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl and C_3-

₆heterocyclyl-C(=O)-; wherein said Ci-ioalkyl, C_2-ιoalkenyl, C .ιoalkynyl, C₆-ιoaryl-Cι-₆alkyl, Ce-ιoaryl-C(=O)-Cι-ealkyl, C₃.ιocycloalkyl-Cι-₆alkyl, C₄.₈cycloalkenyl-Cι.₆alkyl, C₃-eheterocyclyl-Cι-₆alkyl, C₃.eheterocyclyl-C(=O)-Cι.₆alkyl, Ci-iohydrocarbylamino, C_6-ιoaryl, C_6-ιoaryl-C(=O)-, C₃.ιocycloalkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl, C_3-6heterocyclyl or C_3-6heterocyclyl-C(=O)- used in defining R¹ is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and R⁵R⁶N-; R² is selected from the group consisting of Cμioalkyl, C_2-1oalkenyl, C_2-ιoalkynyl, C_3- scycloalkyl, C3_-8cycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C₄.₈cycloalkenyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C₃-₆heterocycloalkyl-Cι- ₆alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl, R⁵R°N-, C_3-5heteroaryl, C_6-ιoaryl and C_3-6heterocycloalkyl, wherein said Ci-ioalkyl, C_2-ιoalkenyl, C_2-ιoalkynyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl, C_3-8cycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, Gμscycloalkenyl-Cμealkyl, C₃.eheterocycloalkyl-Cι_-6alkyl, C_4-8cycloalkenyl, C_3-5heteroaryl, C_6-ιoaryl or C₃-₆heterocycloalkyl used in defining R² is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and amino; wherein R , R and R are independently selected from -H, Cι_-6alkyl, C_2-6alkenyl, C_{2- 6}alkynyl, and a divalent Cι_-6group that together with another divalent R⁵, R⁶ or R⁷ forms a portion of a ring; and R¹⁰ is selected from -H, C^aU yl, and Cι_-6alkenyl.